Renault India CEO Says Hybrids, CNG Could Account for 50% of Sales in 2-3 Years

Renault India expects hybrid and CNG vehicles to account for a combined 50 per cent of the country's car sales over the next two to three years, although the company has not set a formal target for the powertrain mix, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI).

Speaking to PTI on Saturday, Renault India CEO Stéphane Deblaise said the share of hybrid and CNG vehicles could reach 50 per cent as Indian carmakers expand their offerings across different powertrain technologies.

The French automaker is focusing on hybrid and CNG technology as part of its India strategy. The company on Saturday introduced its first strong-hybrid powertrain in the Duster SUV and plans to launch factory-fitted CNG models in the future.

"It is possible, 50 per cent is possible from hybrid and CNG, but we do not have a target," Deblaise told PTI, responding to a question about Renault's expected powertrain mix in India over the next two to three years.

Renault is positioning hybrid technology as an alternative to diesel vehicles, citing fuel efficiency, pricing and driving experience as key factors.

"The price (of vehicles) will be as good as diesel, and the fuel economy will be better. The customer experience will be better. It will be more or less the same price as diesel, with better technology, better fuel economy," Deblaise told PTI.

The company is promoting the technology with the message, "Forget diesel, Go Hybrid", he added.

Deblaise expects demand for hybrids to increase as more models enter the market. He noted that the current selection of hybrid vehicles remains limited and that some available models do not offer the performance customers expect.

Indian automakers are increasingly exploring multiple powertrain options, including hybrids, CNG and electric vehicles, as they respond to changing consumer preferences and tightening emission requirements.

Renault expects hybrids to play a larger role in its portfolio of vehicles longer than four metres, while CNG is likely to have greater potential in the sub-four-metre segment, Deblaise said.

Renault India aims to achieve a market share of 3-5 per cent by 2030. However, Deblaise said the company would focus on product quality and customer satisfaction rather than pursuing sales volumes alone.

"We should be between 3-5 per cent in 2030. But we always say that it is not a target; it is a consequence of our job," he told PTI.

He added that the company wants to deliver vehicles that meet customer expectations and encourage repeat purchases. Deblaise did not disclose Renault India's current market share.

Renault Group plans to expand its India portfolio to seven models by the end of the decade. The range is expected to cover compact cars and larger SUVs, alongside strong-hybrid and fully electric vehicles. 

Renault also plans to increase exports from India, targeting annual export revenue of €2 billion, or approximately Rs 25,000 crore, by 2030. The target includes vehicles, components and associated services.

The export ambition forms part of the company's broader plans to strengthen India's role in its global operations, alongside expanding its domestic product range.