The Indian market currently offers vehicles running on various fuel types, including gasoline, ethanol (flex-fuel), CNG, hybrid, and electric vehicles (EVs). Although EVs are being actively promoted globally, many consumers have not yet switched to this mode due to high costs and range anxiety.
In such conditions, hybrid cars appear to be a more reliable choice. There are numerous technologies for hybrid vehicles in the international market, and they are gradually beginning to appear in India. The question arises as to which specific technology should be focused on, so it is necessary first to understand the hybrid models available in the country.
Currently, most hybrid cars in the country are equipped with either Mild Hybrid technology, which does not significantly affect fuel consumption, or Strong Hybrid, which provides significant savings but requires a higher price. In addition to these options, technologies such as Plug-in Hybrid and Range Extender will appear in the Indian market in the near future, allowing buyers to obtain vehicles with better fuel economy. However, the similarity of these technologies often causes confusion, so it is important to explain them in simple terms.
Strong Hybrid, or hybrid technology, most common in India, combines both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The car moves using both the gasoline engine and the electric motor. The battery does not require separate charging; instead, it is charged through braking or engine operation. This helps improve fuel efficiency in urban conditions. The car can travel in EV mode up to a certain speed, eliminating gasoline consumption and increasing economy. However, in EV mode, such a car can only travel about 3-4 kilometers. Examples of such models in the Indian market include the Toyota Camry, Innova Hycross, and Maruti Grand Vitara Strong Hybrid, which belong to the premium segment.
Plug-in Hybrid can be understood from its name. Such a car also has a battery and an engine, and it runs on both energy sources. However, compared to Strong Hybrid, the battery in this model is larger and can be charged. When the battery charge runs out, the car switches to running on the gasoline engine. Currently, there are few such cars in the Indian market, and they are expensive. Nevertheless, some of them are capable of traveling over 100 kilometers in EV mode. It is expected that models with similar technologies aimed at the mass consumer will soon enter the market.
A Range Extender is a fully electric vehicle fitted with only one engine that, together with a generator, charges the car's battery. Thus, the car always operates in EV mode. The gasoline engine in such cars does not provide direct propulsion but serves solely to recharge the battery. Such vehicles can be an excellent solution for Indian roads because they eliminate the need for intermediate charging characteristic of pure EVs. These cars have a small engine whose task is either to charge the battery or supply energy to the motor to provide movement. As long as the battery is charged, the car drives in EV mode, and after the charge is depleted, the engine starts working. The Range Extender is particularly attractive because it has a smaller battery compared to pure EVs, which reduces the cost of the car. In such a large market where people usually own one car, the Range Extender may prove to be the ideal option, avoiding the need to separately purchase an EV for the city and a gasoline car for long trips.
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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