Strong hybrid car sales take off in UP after tax waiver

Monthly sales of strong hybrid cars in Uttar Pradesh have more than doubled following the state government's decision to scrap the registration tax on such vehicles from July 5.

- DEEPAK PATEL

Electric car sales in the state, in contrast, have stayed largely flat.

According to data from Jato Dynamics, monthly electric car sales in UP were 413, 496, 355, 430, and 387 units between April and August. But strong hybrid car sales jumped from 228, 239, and 390 units in April, May, and June to 895 in July and 996 in August.

When contacted, Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) and Honda Cars India (HCIL) two of the three leading players in the strong hybrid market - expressed satisfaction with the jump in strong hybrid cars sales in India's most populous state in the past two months, while Tata Motors, India's preeminent electric car manufacturer, and Kia India indicated their disappointment.

Rahul Bharti, executive director of corporate affairs at Maruti Suzuki, welcomed the UP government's decision to "recognise the importance" of strong hybrid vehicles in achieving national goals of reducing carbon emissions, as well as curbing oil imports.

"Customers in UP have responded positively. It is good to see that the combined penetration of BEVs (battery electric vehicles) and SHEVS (strong hybrid electric vehicles) reached 4.6 per cent in UP, slightly surpassing the national average for August.