📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I Q.41 | Classroom Explanation

(Science & Technology)

📌 Question

Q.41) 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
(d) None

✅ Correct Answer: (c)

🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This question tests understanding of vehicle propulsion systems, a recurring UPSC area under clean mobility, energy transition, and emerging technologies.

🔍 Key Concept: What is a Powertrain?

• A powertrain is the system that:

• Generates power
• Transmits it to the wheels

• Conventional vehicles use:

• Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) based powertrains

• Alternative powertrain vehicles are those that:

• Do not rely primarily on ICE
• Use electricity, hydrogen, or hybrid systems

🔍 Type-wise Analysis

✅ I. Full Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) — Correct

• Powered entirely by:

• Electric motors
• Rechargeable batteries

• No:

• ICE
• Tailpipe emissions

➡️ BEVs clearly use an alternative powertrain.

✅ II. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCEVs) — Correct

• Use:

• Hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity
• Electric motors for propulsion

• By-product:

• Water vapour

• No direct combustion of fossil fuels

➡️ FCEVs are alternative powertrain vehicles.

✅ III. Fuel Cell–Electric Hybrid Vehicles — Correct

• Combine:

• Fuel cell system
• Battery or other electric energy storage

• Electricity can come from:

• Hydrogen fuel cell
• Stored electrical energy

➡️ These also use non-conventional propulsion systems.

🧮 Logical Counting (UPSC Style)

• I → Alternative powertrain ✅
• II → Alternative powertrain ✅
• III → Alternative powertrain ✅

➡️ Total = 3

➡️ Correct option: (c) All the three

🎯 Final Answer

✅ Correct Answer: (c)

📦 Info Box — High-Value UPSC Add-ons

🚗 Alternative Powertrains Include:

• Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCEVs)
• Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

⚠️ UPSC Trap Alert

• “Hybrid” does not always mean ICE-based
• Fuel cell vehicles are electric vehicles, not combustion vehicles

🇮🇳 India Context

• Supported under:

• National Electric Mobility Mission
• FAME Scheme
• Green Hydrogen Mission

📍 GS Mapping

GS Paper I (Prelims)
Theme: Science & Technology
Topic: Clean Mobility, Alternative Energy Systems
Nature: Conceptual + Application-based