Mumbai, Oct. 23 -- Renault India expects hybrid and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to potentially account for up to 50 per cent of its powertrain mix within 2-3 years, as the carmaker broadens its portfolio beyond petrol models. Chief executive Stephane Deblaise said the company had not set a formal target, but believed the combination could reach that share as more products become available.

Renault has launched its first strong hybrid vehicle in India with the Duster sport utility vehicle and plans to introduce factory-fitted CNG models. The company is positioning hybrid technology as an alternative to diesel, while India's passenger vehicle market develops across hybrid, CNG and electric powertrains rather than shifting immediately to one technology.

Deblaise said hybrids had not yet gained significant momentum because the market offered too few models and some existing products did not provide sufficiently strong performance. He said demand could expand as manufacturers introduce more options and customers assess fuel economy, pricing and driving experience against conventional diesel vehicles.

Renault expects hybrids to have greater potential in vehicles longer than four metres, while CNG is viewed as more suitable for the sub-four-metre segment. The company is considering a CNG version of the Triber compact multi-purpose vehicle as part of that strategy.

The Duster strong hybrid has an Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI)-certified fuel efficiency of 29 km per litre. It uses a 1.8-litre petrol engine, two electric motors and a 1.4 kWh battery, producing a combined 160 PS.

Under its futuREady strategy, Renault Group plans to offer seven models in India by the end of the decade, spanning compact cars and larger sport utility vehicles, along with strong hybrids and fully electric vehicles. The group also aims to generate annual exports worth Rs. 250 bn from India by 2030 through vehicles, components and related services, while seeking to rebuild its market share to 3-5 per cent by that year.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.