New Delhi: India’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India, has expressed disappointment over the Delhi EV Policy 2026 excluding strong hybrid vehicles from incentives, describing the decision as “surprising” and questioning why the technology has been placed on the same footing as conventional diesel vehicles.
The comments come after the Delhi government formally notified the Delhi EV Policy 2026, which took effect on July 1. While the draft version of the policy had proposed a 50% exemption on road tax and registration fees for eligible strong hybrid cars priced up to ₹30 lakh, the final policy dropped the provision. Instead, the incentives have been reserved exclusively for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
Responding to the policy, Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer (Corporate Affairs) at Maruti Suzuki, said the company welcomed the government’s efforts to promote electric vehicles but found the removal of incentives for strong hybrids difficult to understand. He argued that strong hybrid technology delivers significant fuel savings and lower emissions compared to conventional petrol and diesel vehicles and should be recognised as an important transition technology.
The policy continues to provide substantial benefits for electric vehicles, including 100% exemption from road tax and registration fees for eligible electric cars priced up to ₹30 lakh, along with purchase subsidies for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers and scrappage incentives for replacing older vehicles. It also lays out a phased roadmap for electrification, with only electric auto-rickshaws to be registered from January 2027 and only electric two-wheelers from April 2028.
Maruti Suzuki, which sells the Grand Vitara and Invicto with strong hybrid powertrains, has consistently advocated a technology-neutral approach to reducing vehicle emissions. The company believes a mix of battery electric vehicles, hybrids, CNG, flex-fuel and other cleaner technologies is necessary to accelerate India’s transition to sustainable mobility.
Industry experts remain divided on the issue. Supporters of the government’s decision argue that incentives should focus solely on zero-emission battery electric vehicles to speed up EV adoption and improve Delhi’s air quality. Others contend that strong hybrids can serve as an effective bridge technology, especially in regions where EV charging infrastructure is still developing.
The Delhi government has committed to investing around ₹15,000 crore over the next four years to expand EV infrastructure, including more than 30,000 charging points, battery recycling systems and other clean mobility initiatives. The policy will remain in force until March 31, 2030, and is expected to play a key role in the capital’s efforts to reduce vehicular emissions.
