Uttar Pradesh's Road Tax Waiver: Maruti, Toyota, Honda Now More Affordable

Updated: Tuesday, July 9, 2024, 14:46 [IST]

Car buyers in Uttar Pradesh have a reason to celebrate as the has waived road tax on strong hybrid cars and SUVs. This policy, effective immediately, significantly reduces the on-road prices of vehicles like the Toyota Hyryder SUV, Toyota Hycross MPV, Honda City hybrid, Maruti Grand Vitara, and Maruti Invicto.

The Honda City hybrid's on-road price has dropped by over Rs 2 lakh. Previously priced between Rs 24.31 lakh and Rs 24.40 lakh, it now costs less due to this waiver. The car features a 126hp, 1.5-litre petrol-electric powertrain with an ARAI-rated fuel efficiency of 26.5kpl.

Price Reductions for Hybrid Vehicles

Maruti's Grand Vitara and Invicto also benefit from this policy change. The Grand Vitara's price has decreased by up to Rs 1.98 lakh, making it more affordable for buyers in UP. Similarly, the Invicto sees a reduction of up to Rs 2.88 lakh from its previous range of Rs 29.59 lakh to Rs 33.95 lakh.

The Toyota Innova Hycross hybrid has seen a significant price drop as well. Initially priced between Rs 31.52 lakh and Rs 37.36 lakh, it now ranges from Rs 28.93 lakh to Rs 34.26 lakh, a reduction of up to Rs 3.11 lakh.

Impact on Sales and Market Trends

Between September and November 2023, sales of strong hybrid vehicles reached 24,026 units compared to 21,445 EVs sold during the same period. This indicates that hybrids are gaining traction and could potentially outsell EVs consistently if more states adopt similar tax waivers.

The Toyota Hyryder SUV also benefits from this new policy with its on-road price reduced by up to Rs 2.04 lakh. Previously priced between Rs 20.04 lakh and Rs 24.29 lakh, it now costs between Rs 18.37 lakh and Rs 22.25 lakh.

Technical Specifications

The Hyryder hybrid is equipped with a 1.5-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor producing a combined output of 115hp and delivering an ARAI-rated mileage of 27.97kpl.

The Innova Hycross features a robust hybrid system powered by a 184hp, 2.0-litre petrol-electric engine that returned fuel efficiencies of 13.10kpl in city driving and 16.10kpl on highways during tests.

While some Toyota dealers are promoting price cuts for higher-end models like the Camry, it's uncertain if luxury models such as the Vellfire or Lexus hybrids will also benefit from this policy change.

This new policy is exclusive to strong hybrids registered in Uttar Pradesh; hence buyers should verify exact pricing at local showrooms as dealer estimates may vary. If other states follow Uttar Pradesh's lead in waiving road taxes for strong hybrids, it could further boost their sales momentum across India.