Piyush Goyal said plug-in hybrid vehicles could help accelerate India’s electric mobility transition by addressing charging and range concerns.
New Delhi: Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on Tuesday said plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) could play a crucial role in pushing India’s transition towards sustainable mobility.
“Today, I realise that probably a plug-in hybrid could be the best way to take the whole country into electric,” he said while addressing the CII Business Summit 2026 here.
He added that by combining an internal combustion engine with a limited battery range, PHEVs could offer a practical alternative for mass adoption.
This comes at a time when the whole auto industry is grappling with supply chain concerns and potential high fuel prices, while the government of India is pushing towards EVs.
PHEV refers to a vehicle that combines a gasoline engine with an electric battery which can be recharged from an external power source. Goyal added that plug-in hybrids could potentially minimise battery import dependence while addressing buyer concerns about charging infrastructure and range anxiety.
“We do not run 100 kilometres a day in any of my cars… So just a 100-kilometre battery with a backup engine works well,” he said.
This will also help the country achieve its goal of reducing dependence on imported fossil fuel and improving energy security. He also applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for fuel conservation and said that citizens should adopt behavioural changes such as carpooling and efficient fuel use.
The electric mobility push is supported by infrastructure expansion, including metro rail systems and rapid transport networks, he added.
From a broader industry perspective, he said that India should move away from ‘business as usual’ and instead adopt a more ambitious approach in the face of global geopolitical uncertainty, volatile energy markets and supply chain disruptions.
Published On May 12, 2026 at 06:16 PM IST
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