Current And Upcoming Plug-In Hybrid Cars In India: Jetour T2; BYD Seal U; Mercedes-Benz S 450e And More!

Plug-In Hybrid cars in India were only reserved for expensive models, but soon we are going to see this tech in more mass market models 

India’s journey towards electrification effectively skipped a chapter. While global markets adopted plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) as a bridge from petrol to electric, India made an optimistic leap. And while the self-charging hybrids did make things easier than a full electric vehicle, people rarely got to experience the plug-in hybrids. 

A plug-in hybrid is different from cars like the Maruti Grand Vitara Hybrid or the Toyota Innova Hycross Hybrid. It has a much larger battery that you can charge from an external power source (like an EV), allowing for meaningful electric-only range. Strong Hybrids can only cover a few kms before having to switch on the engine and use it as a generator.

Current PHEVs on sale in India

Mercedes-Benz S 450e (S-Class PHEV)

Price: Rs 2.20 crore

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has long been among the pinnacle of comfort and the S 450e continues that tradition, albeit in a more eco-friendly manner. It uses its plug-in hybrid system to deliver silent, all-electric propulsion for city driving, fitting the boss mode character perfectly. With a substantial sized 22.2 kWh battery delivering a claimed range of 115 km, it allows owners to complete their daily commute without ever having the need to switch to petrol power. 

This makes the S Class a lot more usable and versatile than the EQS while retaining the charm of 3-litre, inline-six turbo petrol engine. It’s also not short of power as the S 450e delivers strong performance with a combined system output of 435 PS and 680 Nm. And lastly, the electric motor alone can do a top speed of 140 kmph! 

BMW M5

Rs 2.05 crore

The car that probably got the most amount of controversy when it got the hybrid powertrain for the first time was the BMW M5. Yes, the added tech has resulted in the M5 putting on a lot of weight (over two tonnes!). 

That said, its electrification bit here is a massive weapon and that can be proved in its numbers. The new BMW M5 uses its hybrid powertrain not for ultimate efficiency, but for brutal performance. The 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 monster is made into a cyborg by pairing it with a high-performance electric motor. The result is a massive 727 PS and a whopping 1000 Nm, helping this gargantuan sprint from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.5 seconds. It is a clear statement that a plug-in hybrid system is no longer a compromise; it is a performance multiplier that also helps meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations.

Lamborghini Revuelto 

Price: Rs 16 crore

For those who want a plug-in hybrid supercar with bonkers performance, maximum driving pleasure and edgy eye-catching looks - this is it! The Revuelto is Lamborghini’s first series production and boy, it has a lot going for it. Yes, it might cost even more than some of the fanciest apartments in some parts of Mumbai, but then here are the numbers. 

The heart of a matter is a 6.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, paired with one or two, but three electric motors. Combined, this setup makes a whopping 1015 PS power and it’s put down to the road via all four wheels using a 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Nought to 100 kmph comes up in 2.5 seconds and it can hit over 350 kmph if the road permits you to do so. Clearly, the Revuelto is not for the faint of heart.

Upcoming PHEVs in India

BYD Seal U DM-i PHEV

Expected Price: Rs 50 Lakh 

BYD's DM-i (Dual Motor-intelligent) tech could debut in the Seal in India. This ‘electric-first’ technology uses the petrol engine primarily as a generator to charge the battery, only directly driving the wheels at higher speeds. This approach delivers outstanding fuel efficiency and, with a full tank and full charge, a claimed combined range of over 1,000 km, effectively eliminating range anxiety.

MG Plug-in Hybrid SUV

Expected Price: Rs 40 Lakh

This one is the most important car in the list because it could make PHEV reach the masses. Based on the Wuling Starlight 560, this JSW MG Motor India SUV could be a three-row plug-in hybrid family car that could be coming to India as soon as October 2026. The electric motor will likely be paired to a 1.5L petrol engine giving the SUV an estimated pure-EV driving range of 100–125 km. 

JSW–Chery / Jetour T2 PHEV

Expected Price: Rs 45 Lakh

The JSW-Chery partnership is set to bring the Jetour brand to India with the T2. This boxy SUV has been doing very well in international markets and might just win over Indian hearts as well. It will likely be launched with a PHEV powertrain combining a 1.5L turbo-petrol engine with a dual-motor setup. All electric range is expected to be around 139km.