EV Market In India At Inflection Point; Growth Imminent Across Categories

The third largest automobile market saw a staggering 2,142,565 units of electric vehicles sold between September 2024 and August 2025, according to data from Vahan Dashboard (excluding Telangana).

The electric vehicle sales in India witnessed mixed sales in August, 2025, according to the same source. Statistics put electric two-wheeler sales at the lead with 104,373 units compared to July’s 103,469 units, followed by four wheelers at 17,387 units from 16,127 units a month earlier and the rest of the pie was goods carriers, buses and three-wheeler cargo carriers.

The dashboard also reported a decline in electric rickshaw sales that dell to 36,962 from 39,782 in July, followed by electric three-wheeler L5 passenger (18,007 from 20,446) and electric carts (6,213 from 6,817).

Nonetheless, the market sentiment about this vehicular segment seems to be strong. Exuding confidence on World EV Day 2025, Deepak Manwani, Head of Operations and Revenue at Yuma Energy, told Motoring Trends, “As India’s automotive sector accelerates towards electrification, the momentum is unmistakable in two- and three-wheelers. What began with fleet use cases is now rapidly entering personal mobility with adoption climbing year-on-year.”

He noted that supportive government policies such as FAME II, the newly launched PM e-DRIVE scheme and state-level EV mandates for EV adoption as well as for charging and swapping infrastructure creation are creating a strong policy tailwind.

There is also an influx of customised financing options for EVs, which is providing further impetus to the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segments. Industry projections indicate that by 2030, nearly 35–40 percent of new two-wheelers and over 50 percent of three-wheelers could be electric with more ambitious scenarios targeting up to 80 percent penetration in these categories.

Sharing the same confidence, Som Kapoor, Partner at EY India, noted, “EVs currently make up about five percent of the market and we’re at an inflection point. Growth is inevitable and the consistent share across different vehicle sizes signals strong policy support from the government. EV adoption will continue to expand as part of the overall auto market.”

He shared that post-pandemic, the Indian automobile market has witnessed stabilised growth at around 3–4 percent, rather than in double digits. With the upcoming GST changes, a boost in small cars and overall volume is expected, especially in the second half of this year.

“In terms of EVs, the two-wheelers segment, which already has a growing momentum, will continue in the path. We expect strong growth in segments where vehicles work on closed routes or where assets are monetised daily, such as three-wheelers and commercial vehicles. These areas will see tremendous adoption,” added Kapoor.

Market command

Despite a modest share in the entire automobile market currently, EVs are expected to gobble at least one-third of the pie. Alluding to this, Manwani noted, “By the end of this decade, we expect electric vehicles to command nearly a third of India’s automotive market with two and three-wheelers at the forefront of this shift. Projections indicate that up to 70–80 percent of new scooters, motorcycles and electric-rickshaws could be electric by 2030, while passenger cars and buses steadily build towards 20–25 percent adoption.”

At the global level, where there are outliers like China and the Nordics leading the EV penetration, India is broadly in line with other major markets and the adoption levels are comparable to its global peers, noted Kapoor.

Furthermore, the torch bearer for EV adoption till the end of the decade is expected to be two-wheelers and three-wheelers. “These are the vehicles that define our cities – scooters weaving through traffic, delivery bikes bringing food to our doors and rickshaws ferrying millions on their daily commutes,” said Manwani.  

He added, “They are the lifeblood of urban mobility, and because they run hard and run often, they are also the first to embrace the undeniable economics of going electric. Cars, meanwhile, will follow steadily, starting with city users and early adopters who see EVs as both aspirational and practical for daily city commutes. And then there are our commercial fleets, buses connecting cities, trucks and vans moving goods across states, slowly but surely shifting to electric because the savings are too big to ignore.”

Another boon for the indigenous industry will be collaborations, according to Kapoor. “As Chinese collaboration opens up, we expect to see technology transfers and joint ventures that can accelerate India’s EV ecosystem. These partnerships will be valuable for scaling both manufacturing and innovation,” he contended.

Drawing on the same lines, Omega Seiki Mobility Chairman Uday Narang noted, “Over the past year, India’s EV sector has moved from experimentation to consolidation with stronger players and sustainable models emerging. EV three-wheelers, both passenger and cargo, along with new-age electric trucks, especially in the 1–1.5 tonne category will be the real growth drivers of this market.”

Commenting on current market domination of EVs, Kazam Chief Executive Officer Akshay Shekhar opined, “India's EV narrative is transitioning from initial curiosity to industrial scale. It is not only from the vehicles but also from charging infrastructure and software orchestration. In the next five years, we anticipate chargers to be as pervasive as fuel pumps for three- and two-wheelers with charging equipment closely integrated into fleet operations, home installations and e-commerce logistics.”

Supply and power

Volks Energie Chief Executive Officer Piyush Goyal opined that the world is moving towards largescale adoption of clean mobility and sustainable energy and that companies in India are feeling that effect.

“What started as a symbolic initiative five years ago, has turned into a global movement today as the world collectively and rapidly moves towards large-scale adoption of clean mobility and sustainable energy. This adoption reflects not only a technological change and preference but also a shift in the societal expectations from the automotive and renewable industries overall. Consumers today demand cleaner and more resilient energy systems,” he stated.

Moreover, the Central Government’s ambitious plans to make the country an export hub can well be extended to electric vehicles. Alluding to the strategy, Kapoor stated, “Our immediate priority should be strengthening the local market. That said, companies like Maruti are already exporting EV models before bringing them to Indian customers. India has the technological capability and manufacturing infrastructure to grow as an export hub over time. Steady progress will be key.”

While he noted that currently the three main challenges for higher penetration are charging infrastructure, consumer mindset shift towards EVs and high upfront cost of ownership, private charging access is seen as a crucial.

“In India, many homes lack dedicated parking slots, making at-home charging challenging. Until that improves, public charging needs significant expansion. Both private and public infrastructure must evolve to support mass adoption,” noted Kapoor.

Another barrier pointed out was the reliance on imported components. According to Manwani, “India is heavily reliant on imported components for its EVs, especially batteries and advanced electronics, which makes India vulnerable to any kind of supply shocks due to changing geo-political scenarios. The current geo-political uncertainties have caused production disruptions in the last six months. And to overcome this, India needs to have a long-term plan to become self-reliant on cell manufacturing, rare earth magnet production as well as cultivating alternative sources of lithium and other metals essential for sustaining India’s EV ecosystem.”

Motwani also added that cell prices have dropped by as much as 40–50 percent in the last 24 months and this has certainly helped spur new demand in India. This has also meant larger battery packs in vehicles, thereby helping reduce range anxiety and making EVs a viable option in a market where charging infrastructure is still catching up.

For swapping players, this has been a boon as reducing cell and battery price means faster asset deployment due to lower capex spend. This has helped drive large scale transformation in commercial mobility in line with the policy push from various quarters.

Kapoor also noted a need to change the direction of incentives. “So far, incentives have largely supported the supply side. We now need demand-side incentives, which are direct benefits to consumers that make EV adoption more attractive,” he said.

Alluding to the growing demand for EVs, Trontek Chief Executive Officer Samrath Singh Kocchar opined, “India's EV ramp-up is being driven by affordable battery prices, policy incentive and fast two-wheeler electrification but true long-term play will be in battery technology, circularity and systems thinking. Over the next five years, we expect major strides in energy density and fast-charging with battery-swapping and modular solutions gaining momentum in fleet operations.”

JSW MG Motor India has announced that its MG Windsor electric SUV has surpassed 50,000-unit sales in just over a year.

The company stated that the Windsor is the first electric passenger vehicle in India to achieve this sales mark in record time, reinforcing its position in the country's EV segment. This sales rate translates to five units of the MG Windsor being sold every hour.

Demand for the EV has been observed across major metropolitan and non-metro markets, indicating customer readiness to adopt electric mobility solutions.

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “When we launched the Windsor EV, our mission was simple yet ambitious: to offer a mobility solution that is practical, stylish and value-driven – while accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in India. The Windsor EV’s rapid success, achieving 50,000 sales in record time marks a landmark moment in India’s EV journey and demonstrates that customers are embracing this transition with enthusiasm. This milestone energises us to deepen our commitment to New Energy Vehicles. Our vision is to deliver exciting experiences every time and we will continue raising this benchmark as we shape the future of mobility in India.”

The MG Windsor, which the company markets as a CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle), delivers 100 KW (136ps) of power and 200Nm of torque. It features an ‘AeroGlide’ design and an interior with 'Aero Lounge' seats and a large 15.6-inch Grandview Touch Display.

JSW MG Motor India recently launched the MG Windsor Inspire, a limited-edition series, which was unveiled by Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India.

Mumbai-based startup ACS Energy has successfully secured INR 11 million in a pre-seed funding round. The investment was spearheaded by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV). This financial boost will enable the company to deploy over 5,000 new UPI-enabled EV charging stations across the key states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, enhancing accessibility for residential and commercial users alike.

ACS Energy (Ayka Control Systems Pvt. Ltd.) is tackling a critical gap in India's electric vehicle ecosystem by focusing on complex urban settings. The company specialises in developing charging solutions for high-rise buildings and large residential townships, an often underserved segment despite increasing regulatory mandates for EV infrastructure in new real estate projects.

Since its establishment in 2022, the startup has been a pioneer, introducing India's first UPI-based payment system for EV charging. This innovation eliminates the need for multiple mobile applications or subscriptions, creating a seamless, digital-first experience for users. Their product line includes universally compatible smart AC chargers for various vehicle types, supported by the proprietary ACS pay platform. The technology leverages artificial intelligence to effectively manage power loads and ensure swift, transparent transactions.

The founding team, Jash Sheth and Mihir Bhanushali, brings a strong blend of technical and engineering expertise to the venture. Sheth's background includes experience in India's nuclear power sector and involvement with other successful startup founding teams. Together, they are driving a vision to make sustainable mobility more practical and less cumbersome through intelligent infrastructure.

Beyond expanding its physical charging network, a portion of the new capital will be dedicated to advancing energy management systems. These systems are designed to bring smarter power distribution and sophisticated load balancing to urban buildings, promoting greater overall energy efficiency. Currently operating in cities such as Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad, ACS Energy is rapidly scaling its operations to build a robust network that connects city dwellers and emerging EV hubs.

Mitesh Shah, Co-Founder, IPV, said, “India’s EV revolution is incomplete without a strong support system fuelling its growth. The transition from fuel-based energy to green energy has to be more accessible and seamless. ACS Energy offers more than just a charger – it is a full hardware and software package that makes charging quick, transparent and hassle-free. Their UPI-based system means anyone can pay instantly, which makes EV charging as seamless as buying groceries.”

Jash Sheth, Founder & CEO, ACS Energy, said, “At a petrol pump, you don’t think twice – you just pay and move. EV charging should be just as simple. With India’s first UPI-enabled charging network, we’re bringing that same ease to the EV ecosystem. Alongside, we’re launching our AI-driven Energy Management Systems to help buildings and DISCOMs manage load intelligently. This fundraise will power our mission to simplify charging and optimise energy use across India.”

Tata.ev, India's largest four-wheeler EV manufacturer, has partnered with charging operator Voltran to inaugurate 14 new high-speed Tata.ev MegaChargers across the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, creating what the company calls the nation's first fully manned public EV charging stations.

The new charging hubs are strategically located on major intercity routes, including the Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Vijayawada and Vijayawada–Chennai corridors, significantly boosting seamless long-distance electric vehicle travel in South India.

Each MegaCharger station is staffed 24x7 by trained marshals to ensure a 'fuel refuelling experience' for customers, offering reliability and service assurance. Crucially, the stations allow for payment via cash, card, or UPI post-charging, removing the need for an app for the transaction. They also feature air-conditioned lounges, clean washrooms, and multiple food options.

This latest rollout increases the Tata.ev MegaCharger network to over 70 operational sites nationwide, part of the company's 'Open Collaboration 2.0' framework to accelerate charging infrastructure. Tata.ev aims to introduce over 500 MegaChargers by 2027.

Balaje Rajan, Chief Strategy Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said, "As the EV revolution continues its strong momentum, the demand for accessible, widespread, and reliable charging infrastructure has become increasingly critical. In partnership with Voltran, we’re proud to inaugurate 14 Tata.ev MegaChargers across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — the first of their kind EV charging stations manned 24/7 by trained marshals. These fast-charging hubs connect major cities, enabling seamless EV travel across key locations in these states. With over 70 Tata.ev MegaChargers now nationwide, this milestone reinforces our commitment to fast, reliable, and fuel station-like charging experiences, driving effortless mobility across India.”

Raja Sekhar Upputuri, CEO, Voltran, said, "We are excited to partner with Tata.ev to launch our co-branded Tata.ev x Voltran MegaCharger Stations across all major highways in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. These hubs are manned 24x7 and customers don't need an app to charge as they can pay with cash, card or UPI post charging. On top of that, all these hubs are equipped with air-conditioned lounges, clean washrooms and multiple food options. Together with Tata.ev, we reimagined the future of EV charging in India - fast, reliable & super convenient. We look forward to building upon this momentum and expanding it to more locations in the days to come.”

Tesla held its first-ever public pop-up showcase in India at Ambience Mall in Gurugram, attracting thousands of visitors interested in the automaker’s electric vehicles and sustainability credentials.

Ambience Mall, which has become a platform for premium and international consumer brands, was selected for its modern infrastructure, high footfall and affluent customer base, according to the venue. Visitors were given a close look at the Tesla Model Y, marking the company’s initial public display in the city.

The mall authorties said the event reinforces its position as a preferred launch venue for global names entering or expanding in India with a history of hosting world-class brand showcases and firsts.

Hosting Tesla’s first-ever pop-up in India reaffirms our position as the preferred venue for premium international brands,” said Arjun Gehlot, Director of Ambience Malls. “Our space celebrates technology, design and sustainability, reflecting the aspirations of today’s consumers.”

Ambience Mall authorties said the showcase represents another milestone as it focuses on experiences at the intersection of retail, technology and lifestyle, catering to a growing Indian audience seeking innovative mobility solutions.