India is changing fast. People once thought electric cars would take over. But now, another kind of car is rising — the hybrid. It uses both fuel and electricity. It’s smarter with energy. It goes farther. And now, Mahindra wants to be part of that future.
What Is Mahindra Planning?
Mahindra is a big car company in India. They already make electric cars. Two of them are called BE6 and XEV 9e. These run only on batteries right now. But soon, Mahindra wants to make hybrid versions of these SUVs.
That means the car will still use an electric motor and a battery, but it will also have a small petrol engine. This engine won’t move the wheels. It will just charge the battery when it gets low. This type of hybrid is called a range extender.
So, even when you run out of charge, you won’t get stuck. The petrol engine will help keep you moving.
How Will They Do It?
Mahindra already has a special base for its electric cars. It’s called the INGLO platform. Now, they will make some changes to it to fit in the petrol engine. This base is flexible, so it won’t be too hard.
They might use a 1.2-litre petrol engine — the same kind that is already in their XUV 3XO SUV. That would make things easier and cheaper to build.
What About the XUV 3XO?
Mahindra is also thinking about giving the XUV 3XO a new hybrid system. This one might be even smarter than the range extender.
Here, the car can drive using either the petrol engine, the electric motor, or both. The car will decide when to switch, based on how you’re driving. This system is called a series-parallel hybrid.
This kind of setup helps you save fuel. It also makes the car feel smooth and easy to drive.
Why Now? What Changed?
A few years ago, Mahindra said they didn’t want to make hybrids unless people really wanted them. They were focused on electric cars. But things are different now.
Electric car sales in India have slowed down. Many people still worry about charging stations and battery range.
But hybrids are growing. In April 2025 alone, over 8,700 hybrid vehicles were sold in India. Brands like Toyota and Maruti Suzuki are doing well with cars like the Hyryder and Grand Vitara.
Also, the Indian government is helping by giving incentives for hybrid cars, just like they used to do for EVs.
So, Mahindra saw all this and decided it was time to join the hybrid wave.
What’s Next?
Mahindra already has fans who love their BE6 and XEV 9e models. By adding hybrid versions, they can reach even more people — especially those who want better fuel savings without fully switching to electric.
And if the hybrid market grows more, Mahindra might even lead it one day.
In Short:
- Mahindra will make hybrid versions of its BE6 and XEV 9e SUVs.
- A small petrol engine will help charge the battery when needed.
- The XUV 3XO may get a smarter hybrid system that switches between petrol and electric power.
- India’s car market is now welcoming hybrids more than ever.
- Mahindra is ready to be part of this new journey.
Hybrids may not be fully electric. But they are a smart middle step. And in a country like India — with its traffic, long drives, and limited chargers — this step could be the right one.
