How to prepare a hybrid car, SUV for a Pollution Under Control (PUC) test?

Do we need a Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate for hybrid cars too? If yes, how can I obtain one if my Maruti Grand Vitara always starts in EV mode?

Tushar, Indore

Autocar India says: Yes, according to the law, all vehicles with an internal combustion engine (ICE), including hybrids, need to undergo a Pollution Under Control (PUC) test every six to twelve months, depending on the state. The procedure to conduct it on a hybrid is a bit more complex than on regular cars since these vehicles usually start in full-electric mode. To simplify this, here’s a detailed procedure that you must follow, which is also listed in your car’s owner’s manual:

1. Turn the ignition to ON (press start/stop button without depressing the brake pedal)  
2. With the shift lever to P, fully depress the accelerator pedal twice 
3. Move the shift lever to N, and again fully depress the accelerator pedal twice 
4. Move the shift lever to P, and once again fully depress the accelerator pedal twice 
5. Press the engine start button to fire up the engine, while depressing the brake pedal 
6. Look for a ‘2WD maintenance mode’ message on the multi-information display 
7. After the PUC test is complete, switch off the engine and wait for 30 seconds before restarting the vehicle
8. The vehicle should start normally, and the ‘2WD maintenance mode’ sign will disappear

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