EVs for the heart. Hybrids for the head…

There’s no doubt that EVs will rule the headlines, once again, in 2023. And hybrids will fly under the radar while they proliferate in number. On the cover of this issue, you would have noticed a ‘power study’ so to speak – a real-world comparison between the different propulsion systems on offer: petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric.

Also Read: 2 EVs & 2 Hybrids in our Best of 2022

We did a similar comparison in 2022, between the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Lexus NX 350h and Volvo XC40 Recharge, in which the Hybrid came out at the top. Spoiler alert, but this time too, it’s Toyota’s hybrid tech in the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara that provides the best compromise between usability, peace of mind and efficiency. It’s got a usable all-electric range in the city, poses no risk of running out of juice on the road (unless you forget to fill petrol), is enormously efficient and reasonably priced. So, what’s not to like?

While EVs continue to rule the headlines, they do appear to have lost some of their sheen. Tesla, the EV poster boy, has seen almost 70% of its market cap vanish over the past few months. Sure, you could blame Elon’s antics to a degree, but it also demonstrates that Tesla is no longer considered the Messiah it once was.

Also Read: What happens when Ferrari & AMG go electric?

Europe is facing a power crisis, and some erstwhile EV havens are now posing strict restrictions on electric cars. Elsewhere, EVs are lining up en masse at public charging stations. Well-to-wheel is a phrase that’s coming up more often to debate the total environmental impact of producing, using, and disposing of an EV. Conflict minerals is another phrase causing people to seriously question where the materials that go into their electric cars are coming from.

The real question is this – in 2023, can we finally look past the hype and consider, on merit, all the possible forms of future propulsion?

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