Delhi to Mumbai in just ₹3000: This car's AI hybrid system can make this trip cheaper with record mileage of 45km/l

Chinese automaker Geely Auto has launched a powerful new hybrid system that it claims can deliver nearly 45 km on a single litre of fuel, directly challenging the decades-long dominance of Japanese brands like Toyota in the conventional hybrid segment.

According to Reuters, Geely unveiled its i-HEV Intelligent Hybrid system on Monday with impressive efficiency and smart features.

Geely Auto: Record-breaking fuel efficiency

In highway testing, a Geely Emgrand model fitted with the i-HEV system recorded fuel consumption of just 2.22 litres per 100 km — translating to roughly 45 km per litre. Geely said this achievement sets a new Guinness World Record.


The system also boasts a high thermal efficiency of 48.4%, among the best for mass-produced hybrids.

AI-powered smart technology

Geely’s i-HEV integrates an AI-driven energy management platform that analyses real-time conditions such as temperature, humidity, and altitude to optimise energy use and boost efficiency.

The company claims the system also offers enough onboard computing power to support advanced intelligent driving features — capabilities that Japanese hybrid models have not yet matched.

Rollout plans this year

The new hybrid technology will be introduced this year in several Geely models, including the Preface, Monjaro, Starray, and Emgrand.

Expert view on the challenge to Japanese brands

Yale Zhang, Managing Director at Automotive Foresight in Shanghai, told Reuters that Geely’s launch marks a “key turning point” for the industry. With more powerful motors, lower fuel consumption, and advanced intelligence, this amounts to a “full-scale challenge” to the dominance of Japanese full-hybrid vehicles in both domestic and international markets.

Background on Japanese leadership

Since Toyota launched the Prius in 1997, Japanese automakers have maintained a strong hold on the global hybrid market, especially in regions with limited charging infrastructure. China, on the other hand, has focused heavily on plug-in hybrids.

Geely’s parent company, Geely Group, sold 4.11 million vehicles globally in 2025, ranking ninth worldwide compared to Toyota’s 11.3 million.

With the i-HEV system, Geely is making a bold bid to capture a bigger share of the profitable conventional hybrid segment.

(With Reuters inputs)