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.”

Tesla has opened online reservations for the new Roadster in select global markets, including India, with production scheduled to begin in 2028 for left-hand drive configurations. Alongside the reservation announcement, Tesla India has also introduced a complimentary Acceleration Boost for its Model Y L six-seater SUV.

The new Roadster design incorporates aerospace-inspired elements and SpaceX components. In the domestic product lineup, the Model Y L SUV receives an Acceleration Boost software update, reducing its zero-to-100 km/h acceleration time to 4.5 seconds while offering an operating range of up to 681 kilometres under WLTP testing standards.

Tesla currently offers the Model Y and Model Y L in India. The entry-level Model Y is priced at INR 5.08 million, while the Model Y L starts at INR 6.19 million. The EVs carry safety evaluations from global testing bodies, including NHTSA, Euro NCAP, ANCAP and C-IASI.

To support vehicle ownership, Tesla's domestic charging infrastructure comprises 20 Supercharger stalls and 28 Destination Charger stalls, with three additional sites planned by the end of 2026.

Home charging setup has been established for owners across 23 Indian states. The manufacturer has also introduced its Refer and Earn program in India, offering purchase discounts for buyers and referral credits for existing owners.

VIDA, the electric mobility brand powered by Hero MotoCorp, has unveiled the DIRT.E K3 6DAYS Limited Edition at the 100th FIM International Six Days Enduro in Grândola, Portugal.

The release marks the first collaboration between an Indian electric vehicle manufacturer and the event as an official partner of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme.

The model is limited to 100 units, with each unit assigned a number corresponding to an edition of the event. The electric two-wheeler features Portuguese flag-inspired green and red livery, race competition typography and official 6DAYS branding.

First introduced in December 2025, the DIRT.E K3 is an electric off-road vehicle designed for youth riders. It incorporates a modular frame that adjusts without tools at three points, allowing handlebar height, footrest positioning, and seat height to be adjusted as the rider grows.

The DIRT.E K3 comes with a removable 360 Wh lithium-ion battery with a three-hour full charge cycle, three software-managed speed modes reaching up to 24 kmph via thumb throttle, a magnetic power cut-off kill switch and a 60 mm rear disc brake system.

Kausalya Nandakumar, CBO of the Emerging Mobility Business Unit, Hero MotoCorp, said, "Being part of the historic 100th edition of FIM ISDE is a proud milestone for VIDA and an opportunity to showcase how electric innovation can shape the future of off-road riding. The VIDA DIRT.E K3 brings together the spirit of motorsport with forward-looking technology, building on the recognition it received at CES 2026 and the Red Dot Design Award. With our Portuguese- inspired 6DAYS® Limited Edition, we are celebrating the legacy of this iconic event while bringing a fresh perspective to electric off-road mobility. At VIDA, we believe innovation should go hand in hand with a safe, engaging, and empowering riding experience for young riders."

Fabio Muner, Marketing and Digital Director, FIM, said, "On behalf of the FIM, I would like to sincerely thank Hero MotoCorp for its active participation in the 100th Edition of the FIM 6DAYS®. Thanks to the DIRT.E K3 6DAYS® Limited Edition bike, young riders have the chance to experience first-hand the beauty of motorcycling and enduro, an opportunity that is essential for building the future of our sport. The fact that these vehicles will be available on the market is a further great achievement for the FIM 6DAYS®. It is another example of how this historic FIM World Championship continues to widen its borders year after year, opening its doors to new generations and new ways of riding. Thank you, VIDA for sharing this vision with us."

Epsilon CAM, one of the leading battery cathode active material manufacturers, and cell technology firm C4V have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to evaluate and qualify lithium iron phosphate and bio-mineralised lithium mixed metal phosphate cathode active materials.

The agreement establishes a framework to evaluate Epsilon CAM's cathode materials for cell-level integration across C4V's battery platforms and North American manufacturing programs, including those operated by sister company Near Prime Technologies.

As per the arrangement, Epsilon CAM will provide material samples and engineering data for testing, including electrochemical performance validation, cycle-life evaluation and process compatibility assessments. Subject to technical qualification and definitive contracts, the firms plan to explore multi-year material supply arrangements and technology integrations.

The evaluation will assess supply-chain sourcing for critical raw material inputs, including lithium, manganese and phosphorus, to align with North American content requirements.

Epsilon CAM is advancing plans for a 20,000-tonne-per-annum cathode active materials plant in India by 2028, positioning its production as a non-foreign-entity-of-concern source for global cell manufacturers.

Vikram Handa, MD, Epsilon CAM, said, "This LoI brings together complementary capabilities across cathode materials, cell technology and manufacturing. Our focus is to demonstrate material performance at the cell level and to work with C4V toward scalable, high-quality LFP and LMFP solutions that address the evolving needs of battery manufacturers and automotive customers."

Dr. Shailesh Upreti, CEO, C4V, said, "Epsilon is helping address one of the most important gaps in the U.S. battery supply chain: reliable access to scalable, ex-China phosphate cathode active materials. C4V is currently evaluating Epsilon’s materials through our Digital DNA qualification process for potential use across C4V cell platforms and U.S. manufacturing programs at Near Prime. Successful qualifications would create an important pathway connecting advanced cathode materials with C4V battery technology and domestic cell manufacturing."

JSW MG Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has launched the MG Windsor INDULGE Edition at INR 1.79 million ex-showroom.

The MG Windsor INDULGE Edition features a dual-tone exterior with a Shadow Gold body finish paired with a black roof, black exterior mirror housings, 18-inch black alloy wheels and edition badges on the C-pillar.

The interior adopts a tan and black upholstery scheme, embroidered headrests, and a rear-seat entertainment display screen supplied as standard equipment, alongside rear cabin accessories including themed cushions and window sunshades. The EV retains its 38 kWh battery pack delivering 100 kW of power and 200 Nm of torque, with a certified driving range of 332 kilometres per charge.

Vinay Raina, Chief Commercial Officer at JSW MG Motor India, said, "The MG Windsor is an important product not only for us but for the EV segment, as it has encouraged many fence-sitters to embrace electric mobility. Reaching over 80,000 families in just 24 months is a remarkable milestone and a testament to the value the Windsor delivers to customers. Building on this success, the INDULGE Edition introduces exclusive enhancements and an elevated cabin experience, offering customers a more premium and personalised expression of the Windsor lifestyle. It reflects our commitment to continuously evolving the product in line with changing customer preferences while retaining the qualities that have made the Windsor a preferred choice in the EV segment."

The SUV retains its structural layout, including rear seatbacks capable of reclining up to 135 degrees and a 15.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen, as JSW MG Motor expands its electric vehicle lineup across domestic retail networks.