BYD to consider plug-in hybrids for India depending on demand

Amid rising demand for hybrids in India, Rajeev Chauhan, head of the Electric Passenger Vehicles (EPV) business at BYD India told our sister publication Autocar Professional that the company is actively considering plug-in hybrid models for our market. 

1. BYD India is currently doing a feasibility study for plug-in hybrids 
2. New Creta-rivalling electric SUV within Rs 20 lakh also on cards 

"The Indian market has been buzzing about hybrid vehicles for the past year and a half. If the acceptance level continues, we plan to introduce plug-in hybrid cars from our global portfolio in India and we could see it being sold in India in the next two years," Chauhan said.

BYD’s homegrown rival, Shanghai Automotive’s Indian subsidiary JSW MG Motor India, has announced plans to introduce locally produced, competitively priced plug-in as well as strong-hybrid vehicles. 

The strategic direction adopted by JSW MG Motor India aligns perfectly with BYD India and its future model portfolio. Parth Jindal, director of JSW MG Motor India, has declared that the company aims to sell 1 million electrified vehicles by the end of the decade and intends to lead the new energy vehicle portfolio in the world’s third-largest passenger vehicle market.

In addition to battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrids also make up a significant portion of BYD's global sales. Of the total sales of about 3 million units in the last calendar year, about 1.7 million were plug-in hybrids.

BYD India’s passenger vehicle portfolio currently has EVs only. The brand sells the Atto 3 SUV and the Seal sedan. The e6 MPV has been recently discontinued and will be replaced by the eMax 7 on October 8. BYD is also considering an all-new electric SUV that will take on the upcoming Creta EV.