STORY: Stellantis is doubling down on hybrids as demand booms.

It aims to expand its lineup of such vehicles to 36 by 2026.

The automaker said Tuesday it would offer 30 hybrid models this year covering most of its 14 brands, including Fiat, Peugeot and Jeep.

It aims to launch six more over the following two years.

Stellantis said it was responding to growing customer orders for hybrids in Europe.

The models offer an alternative to electric vehicles and petrol-only cars.

It said sales of hybrids rose 41% in the region over the first six months of the year.

The group said in June its EV sales had been stable since the beginning of this year, despite softer demand globally.

Stellantis said it was focusing on so-called "mild hybrid" vehicles, which can't be plugged in.

It says this system offers a similar CO2 gain to full hybrids, but at a lower cost to the consumer.