After electric vehicles, we have started seeing brands experiment with new technologies to meet emission norms while offering a balance between performance and efficiency. Brands like Maruti and Toyota have already launched strong hybrids, while manufacturers like MG have decided to take things to the next level by bringing in plug-in hybrids. Apart from the recently launched Tomahawk PHEV, here we have a list of two more plug-in hybrids that are ready to be launched in India soon.
JSW this year announced its partnership with Chinese car brand Chery and its plan to enter the Indian market as an independent car manufacturer. The first product to be launched under this partnership will be the Jetour T2. The Jetour T2 will be called the JSW Combat in India. Chery has been selling the Jetour T2 SUV in many markets. JSW is likely to launch its brand this year, but the launch of its first product is likely to happen in early 2027.
The SUV has been spotted testing several times. It gets a boxy SUV design inspired by the likes of the Defender. The exterior is designed to look like a rugged off-roader, while the cabin looks premium. It comes with a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It will have minimal physical buttons, with controls for the AC, panoramic sunroof, and ORVMs integrated into the touchscreen. It will also come with a wireless phone charger, Level 2 ADAS, multiple terrain and drive modes, and more.
The Jetour T2/JSW Combat will be powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. As this is a plug-in hybrid vehicle, the 1.5-litre engine is paired with a 26.7 kWh battery pack. It is available in both 2WD and AWD versions internationally, and the SUV is expected to offer a driving range of around 100 km in pure EV mode. The SUV is expected to have a combined driving range of over 1,100 km.
The JSW Combat (Jetour T2) will be sold as a CKD and assembled at the company’s plant in Maharashtra. The launch is expected to happen around the festive season this year.
BYD was the first to showcase its plug-in hybrid technology in India. However, MG stole the show by launching the Tomahawk PHEV first. The Seal U SUV has been spotted testing on our roads, and the launch is expected to happen in the coming months. This would be BYD’s first PHEV in India. The DM-i technology used in BYD’s SUV is an electric-first plug-in hybrid system designed to prioritise battery power while using an ultra-efficient petrol engine primarily as an onboard generator.
Like any PHEV, the Seal U also comes with a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with a battery pack and electric motors. The battery can be charged using an external power source. The smart system will also allow the vehicle to be used as an EV, series hybrid, or strong-hybrid vehicle when required. It can also be used like a regular petrol car.