Consider the following types of vehicles : I. Full battery electric vehicles II. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles III. Fuel cell electric hybrid vehicles How many of the above are considered as alternative powertrain vehicles?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All the three ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) None
Why the answer is (c)
• 'Alternative powertrain' means any propulsion system other than the conventional petrol or diesel internal-combustion engine.
• Full battery electric vehicles run on an electric motor fed by a rechargeable battery — clearly alternative (I).
• Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles generate electricity on board by combining hydrogen with oxygen in a fuel cell, emitting only water — alternative (II).
• Fuel-cell electric hybrids pair a fuel cell with a battery so that both supply the motor; still no combustion engine — alternative (III).
• All three count, option (c). (Petrol hybrids also qualify as alternative powertrains, but are not listed here.)
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Only one
- All three, not one, are non-combustion powertrains.
- (b) Only two
- Fuel-cell hybrids are also alternative powertrains, so the count is three.
- (d) None
- Every listed type replaces the conventional engine.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, held on 25 May 2025. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.