Auto giants look at hybrids and CNG vehicles to plug the gap as EVs catch on

Maruti Suzuki, which accounted for around 50 percent of market share for cars in October 2023 is yet to launch an EV. The company is expected to launch its first EV in the country in 2025 but that does not mean it is only depending on ICE vehicles. The company’s current sales include over 25 percent of CNG vehicles and around 1 percent of hybrid vehicles. The company’s CNG cars include the Maruti Suzuki Alto which starts at ₹5.13 lakh and includes other cars such as the Grand Vitara, Ertiga, XL6 and more. Its hybrid cars portfolio includes the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Ertiga, the newly launched Fronx and more.Tata Motors, the second largest automaker in India has a couple of EVs, CNG cars and traditional ICE vehicles on offer. While the majority of the company’s sales still come from ICE vehicles, it offers customers a lot of options. For example, the company’s compact SUV Tata Punch is available in ICE, EV and CNG variants. Tata Motors aims to increase its share of CNG vehicles to 25 percent by 2025.Hyundai is betting big on EVs and has allocated ₹20,000 crore for a 10-year period from 2023 to 2032 to push the research and production for electric cars. The company’s EVs currently make up just 1 percent of its overall sales, with CNG accounting for around 11 percent. Hyundai’s CNG offerings include the Exter CNG, Grand i10 Nios and the Aura. The recently launched Exter CG is available starting at ₹8.33 lakh.Toyota is another brand that is yet to launch an electric car in India. The company currently offers hybrid cars, ICE vehicles and CNG cars in India. The company’s CNG portfolio includes the Rumion which is priced starting at ₹11,24,000, the Glanza and more. The company’s cars like the Urban Cruiser Hyryder are available in both CNG and hybrid options.MG Motor is focusing on the EV segment, with EVs already contributing around 25 percent of its portfolio. The company offers EVs such as the MG Comet EV and the MG ZS EV. While the company has not revealed its plans for a CNG car, the company may offer a CNG variant of the Hector or the Astor in the future.