The development of hybrid, dual-fuel, and electric vehicles represents a new approach by the government to manage fuel and energy consumption. This approach entails not only reforms in the gasoline sector but also a fundamental transformation of the automotive industry's production structure, as well as technological changes in this field.
President Masoud Pezeshkian's emphasis on accelerating reforms concerning gasoline quotas, public transport development, and increasing the production of hybrid and dual-fuel cars demonstrates the government's new course toward managing fuel by replacing the fleet with low-consumption models.
The government's focus on the production of hybrid and dual-fuel machines sends a clear signal to domestic manufacturers: in the new paradigm, the automotive industry must transform from an industry producing 'consumer goods' into an 'energy security executive body.' The development of hybrid products, due to significantly reduced liquid fuel consumption, is capable of reducing the load on oil refineries and substantially decreasing the country's need for gasoline imports in the medium term.
Hybrid cars, combining internal combustion engine operation and electric motors, ensure stable operation both in urban areas and on intercity routes while effectively helping to balance the energy imbalance. The expansion of this technology will lead to a gradual change in consumer habits and market preferences, and will free up financial resources for the development of new energy infrastructure by reducing the burden on the budget in the fuel supply sector.
Moreover, increasing the share of hybrid vehicles acts as a catalyst for the successful implementation of fuel subsidy reforms and the creation of a sustainable development cycle in the automotive industry. As a strategic solution alongside hybrids, the modernization of the dual-fuel (natural gas-powered) vehicle fleet is proposed. Since Iran is one of the world's largest natural gas producers, reorienting the fleet, including part of heavy logistics, to gas prevents the waste of foreign currency on gasoline imports.
Analysis of gasoline consumption shows that converting part of the existing fleet to a dual-fuel system and widely producing new vehicles with this technology can compensate for the acute gasoline shortage by utilizing 'excess gas capacity.' This will not only reduce costs for citizens and enterprises on fuel but also decrease economic pressure on the government regarding the supply of expensive fuel. Experts believe that the Ministry of Industry, Mining, and Trade, as the responsible body for the automotive industry, and local manufacturers must abandon traditional production models and build development plans based on 'alternative technologies.' However, this requires special state support, including preferential lending for modernizing the fleet towards low-consumption and dual-fuel vehicles, R&D support for localizing components of hybrid engines and energy management systems, and a review of tariffs to facilitate the import of advanced technologies for producing environmentally friendly vehicles.
Undoubtedly, reducing the fuel imbalance means ensuring energy supply to various sectors and preventing fuel crises that could lead to the shutdown of production lines or increased logistical costs. Optimal fuel mixture management is one of the key tasks of the five-year development plan, within which automakers are obliged to allocate part of their production to low-consumption and clean vehicles. Accordingly, the goal of producing half a million electric and hybrid vehicles annually, while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption, will increase productivity and stimulate the development of new technologies in the automotive industry.
Although domestic manufacturers are already producing products in the field of new technologies, besides hybrids and dual-fuel vehicles, the role of electric vehicles is critically important, especially in public transport and in phasing out old vehicles. In this regard, the country began producing electric buses last year, which have already entered the public fleet.
Automotive expert Amir-Hassan Kakayi told IRAN that several local manufacturers are currently producing electric and hybrid vehicles, although mass production of such models requires significant resources. He added that implementing electric and hybrid vehicles is not the only solution for reducing fuel consumption and air pollution; other factors such as the aging of the fleet and the development of public transport infrastructure must also be considered.
Kakayi noted the crisis of fleet aging: more than 17 million of the country's 27 million vehicles are considered worn out, their age significantly exceeding the global standard of 10 years. The expert emphasized that the main problem is not just eliminating superficial defects, but that the fundamental problem of fleet aging has not been properly addressed in the country's seven-year plans. He also stated that replacing cars with electric ones in Iran does not necessarily lead to reduced fuel consumption and 'purification' of the environment, since the country's energy balance is still based on fossil fuels. Furthermore, the country faces a gas shortage (relative to cleaner fuel), and in many regions, fuel oil must be used. Thus, converting fossil fuels to electricity for electric vehicles only shifts pollution from the car's exhaust pipes to the power plant's smokestacks and is not a final solution for improving air quality in cities like Tehran. Kakayi concluded that the main problem is an economic and political one, not a technological one. He suggested shifting priority from 'passenger cars' to 'public transport,' stating that the budget should be directed towards developing public transport fleets, especially electric buses, since Iran is capable of producing such buses, but a lack of attention from decision-makers has hindered the development of this sector.
Electrified vehicles have been available on the market for fifteen years and represent an advantageous alternative for those who travel long distances, although various myths about them still persist.
Hybrid cars have been part of the Brazilian reality for over a decade and are frequently found in the used car market. The first example of this type in the country was the Mercedes-Benz S400, launched in 2010, while the first widely circulated model was the Toyota Prius, in 2013. Over time, it has become possible to assess how these cars age and whether maintenance becomes complex with the passing of years. This article aims to clarify the main doubts about used hybrid cars.
There is a belief that hybrid car maintenance is more expensive due to the presence of two propulsion systems. However, in practice, this statement does not hold up, since the maintenance plan is quite similar to that of a purely combustion-powered vehicle.
Taking the Toyota Corolla Hybrid as an example, the only distinct procedure in its maintenance plan is the replacement of the battery air filter, which must be done every 30 thousand kilometers or three years. Additionally, every 40 thousand kilometers or four years, it is necessary to check the level of the battery coolant and transmission fluid, replacing them if necessary. The rest of the maintenance schedule follows the standard of the purely combustion version. In the case of the Corolla and the Corolla Cross, the hybrid engine does not use direct injection, eliminating the recommendation to use a gasoline tank after driving ten thousand kilometers using only ethanol.
In the case of the GWM Haval H6 plug-in hybrid, which has more powerful electric motors and a larger battery, the periodic review is also simplified. Extra services include changing the DHT gearbox oil and replacing the electric motor coolant, both scheduled to occur every five years or 60 thousand kilometers. In Honda and Ford hybrid models, the maintenance plan does not change compared to an equivalent combustion model. The Japanese brand, specifically, establishes a longer interval for transmission oil changes, suggesting every 150 thousand kilometers or six years.
Mechanic Ludovico Ballesteros, owner of Pitucha Centro Automotivo, was consulted. Based on his experience, he points out that vehicles with the highest number of reported failures tend to be the best-selling ones, for statistical reasons. He emphasizes that, so far, he does not identify a specific model that presents significantly more problems than others. The most considerable risk lies in cars that have not received adequate servicing or have undergone improper maintenance.
A hybrid car demands less effort from the combustion engine because it operates with the support of the electrical system and can remain off for long periods. Does this imply that oil and other parts can be delayed in replacement? For Ludovico Ballesteros, the maintenance plan must be strictly followed, also considering the factor of time. Although the engine suffers less wear from being stopped at times, the oil needs to be changed within the deadline, as time affects its durability.
Another crucial aspect for engine longevity is keeping it operating within the ideal temperature range. The specialist explains that the vehicle's electronic management ensures that the powertrain operates this way, even when the hybrid systems are inactive.
A frequent argument used to criticize used electric and hybrid cars is the high cost of the battery pack. Although the complete replacement of this component is indeed expensive, it is not a common event. Currently, the industry adopts a standard of offering eight years of warranty for this part, a period that exceeds the warranty offered for the rest of the vehicle. The mechanic also stated that he has not yet received hybrid cars in his workshop with battery problems.
He added that, in most cases that reach his workplace, the failure is not in the high-voltage battery, but rather in other components of the vehicle itself. In full hybrids, the battery is smaller and less stressed compared to a fully electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid, as it is never discharged, being constantly recharged by the engine or the regeneration process.
Purchasing a used hybrid car can be compared to buying a combustion model. What determines whether the choice is correct or not is the general state of conservation and whether the maintenance has been performed correctly. The suggestion is to prioritize models that are more popular in the market, as this ensures more accessible maintenance. Because they are more economical, hybrids are sought after by taxi drivers and ride-share drivers.
During inspection, it is important to check for signs of severe wear on the rear seat and door trims, as these may indicate professional use. Finding a good used hybrid can result in significant savings on fuel costs.
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