Delhi: Maruti Suzuki Ciaz and Ertiga SHVS variants exempted from odd even rule; Justified?

The odd even rule has been currently extended till January 15th and the list of vehicles exempt from this rule include a new pair from the Maruti stable, namely the Ertiga SHVS and the Ciaz SHVS – as both the cars are supposedly ‘Hybrid’. These two vehicles join the exempted vehicles that include vehicles running on CNG, electric vehicles, two-wheelers, the ones piloted by women drivers and those ferrying top politicians. The duo comes to the rescue of Delhiites who earlier only had the option of buying premium products such as the Camry hybrid or the Prius.

The Ciaz SHVS (Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki) was launched in September 2015 and a month later, the Ertiga SHVS was unveiled in the market. These vehicles are known as micro-hybrid vehicles and are hence exempted from the rule. With these two models being the only ones in the affordable segment, Maruti Suzuki is bound to receive a good response for them in the capital. Its rather strange to see these machines having been exempted though, as in the real world that Smart Hybrid technology is more of a marketing gimmick than actually having any considerable effect on a car’s emissions.

What’s more the low cost hybrid tech has some pre-requisites before it can kick in. Like the driver’s door needs to be shut, seatbelt has to be worn, the air-conditioner needs to be in auto mode, headlights must be switched off. Wait a minute, so the hybrid system doesn’t work after daylight?! That’s the idea we get looking at the car’s manual at least. The SHVS system does assist, but only if you are gentle with the accelerator until it dials 2500 revs. Floor it and you’ll never see the green SHVS lamp light up in the instrument console, which is apparently the only way you’d know that the system is at work. The SHVS technology also uses a start-stop technology coupled to an integrated starter generator that does the job of a battery charger during braking apart from working as a starter motor.

For the end customer, though, the SHVS equipped Ertiga and Ciaz are also eligible for a subsidy of Rs. 13,000 under the Union Government’s FAME scheme.

Powering these SHVS models of the Ciaz and the Ertiga is a 1.3-litre diesel engine that produces a peak power output of 89 hp at 4,000 rpm while the peak torque stands at 200 Nm at 1,750 rpm. Transmission duties are performed by a 5-speed gearbox. The cars also come with a gear shift indicator that suggests the appropriate gear shift timings which in turn, returns better fuel efficiency figures.

What is your opinion on these micro-hybrids being exempt from the odd-even rule? Do you think it is justified?
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