It is early afternoon as the Shatabdi train rolls into Amritsar from Delhi. An army of electric passenger three-wheelers greet the travellers as they come out the station and head to their respective destination. The other choice the travellers who have walked out of the station is the bigger diesel autorickshaws. Ironically, the diesel autorickshaws that can seat more passengers have been slowly making space for the electric three-wheelers because the latter are starting to make a more viable business case.
First is the ability of many to beat the higher entry barrier of diesel autorickshaws in terms of the acquisition price. The second is the running cost of a diesel rickshaws per day, which is more than that of an electric passenger three-wheeler. Third is the lower maintenance of an electric three-wheeler as compared to the that a diesel autorickshaw. Petrol or CNG autorickshaws are still not preferred in many Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities for reasons that are more on the side of perception than actual. The CNG autorickshaws especially have been known for their unreliable operation when the respective technology was just getting off the ground in the country.
Interestingly, the tiny streets and bylanes of Amritsar make a case for the seemingly punny electric passenger three-wheelers over their wider and mightier looking counterparts with IC engines. This is not just the case with Amritsar, which is one of the bigger cities in India, but with many other cities – smaller Tier 3 cities were earning potential and purchasing power is less. The electric passenger three-wheelers and electric cargo three-wheelers finding higher acceptance in smaller cities as they beat the conventional auto rickshaws in operating costs per day and per month, it should not come as a surprise that that electric vehicles have been witnessing a strong growth. The basis of operating costs per day and per month is driving a shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles in both the commercial and personal domain. In the personal vehicle domain, it is the electric two-wheelers that are leading the charge.
In 2022, they witnessed strong growth in India in particular – to the tune of a threefold sales increase almost. The official data for 2022 shows that Indians bought 27.8 billion EVs since January 2023 at an average of more than 90,000 EVs per month. Amit Bhatt, Managing Director for India, International Council of Clean Transportation (ICCT), expressed, “Smaller cities have the potential to become strong drivers of India's clean energy revolution. The adoption of EVs in these cities can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to the ongoing nationwide efforts to combat air pollution and climate change. Transitioning to EVs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities will also help in lessening India’s dependence on fossil fuels, cutting down on import bills, and reducing air pollution. This shift will create a self-reliant and sustainable energy ecosystem that will contribute significantly to the country's economic growth.”
“The adoption of EVs in smaller cities will create new business opportunities and job opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, supply chain, and charging infrastructure. This, in turn, will drive the economic growth and development of these regions. Wide-scale participation of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in India’s EV transition will help greatly in creating a greener nation. To ensure that this happens, it is essential to address challenges such as the lack of charging infrastructure; the need for greater awareness among consumers; and the need to develop local supply chains and manufacturing capabilities for EVs,” he added.
Sharif Qamar, Associate Director and Area Convenor, Transport and Urban Governance Division, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), reckoned, there are seven areas of focus for accelerating adoption of EVs across different geographies – institutional and policy readiness; infrastructure readiness; technology readiness; economic readiness; social readiness; environmental readiness; and innovation readiness.
“It is an incredibly steep technology curve that the industry has traversed in the past 6-7 years. This has enhanced the comfort, trust, and reliability of the EV ecosystem in the eyes of consumers, for all vehicle segments – three-wheelers, four-wheelers, buses, and small commercial vehicles – albeit at different levels. As the penetration of renewable energy in the power grid increases, the efficacy of EV technology in dealing with well-to-wheel emissions will be higher and its contribution to climate goals greater,” he explained.
As per the official estimates by ICCT, an ambitious vehicle electrification pathway – under which EVs could reach 95 percent of all new vehicle sales by 2040 – can help in reducing tailpipe emissions by 18-50 percent, depending on the pollutant. Other than the factor of operating costs, the rise in EVs in India is also influenced by central government incentives and policies, including the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles scheme, state-level EV policies, declining costs of EV batteries, technology advancements and growing investments by domestic and international players in EV manufacturing and charging infrastructure.
Image source: @ImrajAhmed9
Euler Motors Enters E-Autorickshaw Segment With Neo
- By MT Bureau
- August 26, 2025
Delhi-NCR-based electric vehicle maker Euler Motors has entered the electric three-wheeler passenger category with the 'Neo by Euler' brand.
The company introduced the first vehicle under this brand, the Neo HiRANGE electric three-wheeler, with an introductory price of INR 309,999. The vehicle is designed for last-mile passenger transport in cities.
The vehicles under the 'Neo by Euler' brand will serve a range of customers, including new EV buyers, drivers for ride-hailing services, fleet operators and self-employed owners. Euler Motors plans to roll out these vehicles across 50 Indian cities over the next three to four months.
Euler Motors states that autorickshaws are a vital part of urban transport in India. Its new EV, the Neo HiRANGE, addresses the need for reliable, long-range and durable vehicles in this sector. The company's two years of research and development, which included conversations with over 10,000 auto-rickshaw drivers, shaped the vehicle's design. The Neo HiRANGE is built for Indian roads, with a rugged chassis and real-time diagnostics.
The vehicle comes in three variants: Neo HiRANGE Maxx, HiRANGE Plus and HiRANGE. The top variant offers a range of over 200 km on a single charge and can be charged in 3.25 hours. It has a skateboard chassis, 65 Nm of torque and hill-assist for stable performance. The vehicle includes a warranty of up to six years or 175,000 km and an anti-theft GPS system.
Saurav Kumar, Founder and CEO, Euler Motors, said, "We are excited to enter the commercial passenger EV segment. 'NEO by Euler' reflects our proven leadership in the commercial EV market. It is the result of deep product learning and on ground engagement with auto drivers across Indian cities. We heard firsthand challenges faced by drivers every day, from long fuel queues and unreliable maintenance to passenger discomfort, and low savings. These insights have shaped every aspect of the brand. Drivers want a solution that offers the highest range in a single charge, supports their livelihood, and gives them the confidence to keep moving. 'Neo by Euler' is our response to those needs; a no-compromise brand built for the realities of commercial passenger mobility in India offering best in class passenger comfort, consistent earning to drivers and overall safe solution."
Ola Electric Gets PLI Certification For Gen 3 Scooter Portfolio
- By MT Bureau
- August 26, 2025
Bengaluru-headquartered electric vehicle company Ola Electric has announced that it’s Gen 3 e-scooter portfolio has received Certification for Compliance under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the automobile and auto components sector.
The certification granted by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) will allow Ola Electric to receive incentives from 13 percent to 18 percent of the determined sales value (DSV) until 2028.
At present, the company’s Gen 3 portfolio comprises of S1 Pro 3 kWh, S1 Pro 4 kWh, S1 Pro+ 4 kWh, S1 X 2 kWh, S1 X 3 kWh, S1 X 4 kWh and S1 X+ 4 kWh.
“Securing PLI certification for our Gen 3 scooters, which form the bulk of our sales, is a critical step towards profitability. This will directly strengthen our cost structure and margins, enabling us to deliver sustainable growth. With our auto business targeted to turn EBITDA positive, the certification acts as a strong catalyst to achieve that goal while ensuring our customers continue to get the best-in-class EVs at highly competitive prices,” said a Ola Electric spokesperson.
BMW Group India Drives Past 5,000 EV Deliveries, Establishes Charging Network Over 4,000km
- By MT Bureau
- August 22, 2025
German luxury automotive brand BMW Group India has cemented its leadership in the luxury electric vehicle (EV) market by becoming the first in the segment to deliver over 5,000 EVs in the country. To mark this significant milestone, the company has inaugurated a new high-power charging corridor spanning 4,000 kilometres from North to South, offering charging access to all EV brands.
The new corridor features charging stations every 300 kilometres, effectively linking major cities and highways from Jammu to Madurai. The route covers key locations including Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Chennai, aiming to eliminate range anxiety for EV drivers.
Vikram Pawah, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “BMW Group India is immensely proud to become the first luxury carmaker to cross the remarkable milestone of 5,000 electric vehicle deliveries. This achievement is not just a number, it represents our unwavering commitment to e-mobility and pioneering spirit in the premium EV landscape. At BMW, luxury and performance is delivered seamlessly with sustainability, and our electric products embody this philosophy. In this journey, we will continue to delight our customers with the most electrifying products and services that provide complete peace of mind. To mark this milestone, we are happy to introduce our high-power charging corridor. Across the length of the nation, from Jammu to Madurai, EV customers can now just sit back and enjoy Sheer Driving Pleasure without a second thought.”
In a move to encourage broader EV adoption, BMW Group India has made these new charging stations accessible to all EV owners, regardless of their vehicle's brand. The stations, with capacities ranging from 120kW to an impressive 720kW, are a part of a larger network of over 6,000 charging points across the country, accessible via the myBMW app. The company is collaborating with charging operators like Statiq and Zeon to manage these new stations.
The sales milestone has been attained by the company’s expansive portfolio of EVs compromising the flagship BMW i7 to the popular BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase, which was the highest-selling BMW EV in the first half of 2025.
TVS Motor Company Launches King Kargo HD EV, CNG Variant On The Cards Too
- By MT Bureau
- August 21, 2025
Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has launched a new electric three-wheeler, the ‘TVS King Kargo HD EV’ at INR 385,000 (ex-showroom Delhi), which it believes will transform urban and semi-urban logistics. The EV is engineered for performance, durability and connectivity in the last-mile delivery sector.
The King Kargo HD EV is designed to improve safety and comfort for operators. It features several segment-first innovations, including LED headlamps and tail lamps for better visibility and a spacious cabin with fully rolling windows. For enhanced performance, it has a dedicated Power Gear Mode that provides higher torque when carrying heavy loads.
The new three-wheeler is also India's first Bluetooth-enabled cargo three-wheeler. It comes equipped with TVS SmartXonnect, offering 26 smart features, along with twin-axis rear-view mirrors for safer navigation through congested city streets. The vehicle’s connected features are managed through TVS Connect Fleet, a web-based platform that gives fleet operators real-time tracking, remote control and advanced analytics for efficient fleet management.
Rajat Gupta, Business Head of Commercial Mobility at TVS Motor Company, said, “The launch of the TVS King Kargo HD represents a transformative moment in the evolution of cargo mobility, aligned to our ‘Re-Imagine 2030’ vision. This three-wheeler will set new benchmarks by delivering an unmatched combination of smart features, high load capability, comfort, ergonomics and safety. Coupled with the TVS Connect Fleet, the vehicle will empower businesses and also improve the everyday life of operators. With the TVS King Kargo HD EV, we are confident of redefining customer expectations and enabling them to achieve more, every day, effortlessly.”
In its initial phase, the TVS King Kargo HD EV will be available in key markets, including Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan and Bengaluru. The company also showcased a CNG variant, which is scheduled for release later this year.
Comments (0)
ADD COMMENT