Hyundai hybrid car plans shelved following the Government’s decision to tax hybrids under GST.

2018 Hyundai Verna First Drive
Hyundai has cancelled the plans to launch a mild-hybrid version of the new Verna

Manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki and Toyota continue to offer their hybrid powered cars in-spite of the hike in taxes under GST (Goods and Services Tax) while other manufacturers like Hyundai and Mahindra are putting a hold on their hybrid powered cars.

Hyundai had decided to launch the Ioniq hybrid at the 2018 Auto Expo and also to equip the soon-to-be-launched Verna with a mild-hybrid system but now has decided against it due to the cutback in benefits given to hybrid vehicles post GST.

The Government of India had announced the FAME India [Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India] scheme in April 2015 with an objective to support hybrid/electric vehicles where the manufacturers were given subsidies/incentives.

With benefits towards mild-hybrid and strong-hybrid continuously decreasing, Hyundai has cancelled the launches of its hybrid powered cars. The Creta facelift which is due in 2018 and which is also likely to get a mild-hybrid option for both petrol and diesel engines could also miss out on hybrid technology.

The Mahindra Scorpio which is expected to receive a facelift soon too could lose out on mild-hybrid technology, meanwhile Toyota continues to offer the Camry hybrid but with a price increase of approximately Rs. 8-10 lakhs. The Government of India has clearly shifted its focus towards electric vehicles and the drop in tax rates is clearly evident.

Hyundai Hybrid Car Plans

– Hyundai has cancelled the launch of the Ioniq at the 2018 Auto Expo
– Hyundai also had plans to launch a mild-hybrid version of the new Verna
– Government’s decision to tax hybrid vehicles at 43 percent and the cutback in benefits to hybrid vehicles has made Hyundai cancel its hybrid car plans

Hyundai Ioniq India
Hyundai had plans to launch the Ioniq hybrid at the 2018 Auto Expo