World EV Day: Automakers Assess India’s Electric Mobility Road Ahead

As India’s electric vehicle market continues to expand, automakers and industry stakeholders are assessing the factors that will shape the next phase of EV adoption. On World EV Day, executives from across the automotive industry share their views on demand, affordability, charging infrastructure, localisation, technology and policy support, offering perspectives on the opportunities and challenges facing electric mobility in India.

Aakash Minda, Executive Director, Spark Minda, said the next phase of EV adoption in India will depend on affordability, reliability, accessibility and continued investment in technology and partnerships.

"Electric mobility is more than a shift in technology—it is a transformation in how we move. The next phase of EV adoption will depend on making mobility smarter, more reliable, affordable and accessible. Through focused R&D investments, strategic partnerships and Spark Minda Green Mobility (SMGM), we are building capabilities and scalable solutions to support this transformation for India and global markets."

Ravi Chawla, MD & CEO, Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd, said India’s EV market has moved from an early stage of adoption to a phase where charging infrastructure, localisation and reliability will be critical to supporting further growth.

“To give a perspective five years ago, India's EV story was largely a story of intent, with EV penetration standing at just 0.7% of total vehicle sales in 2020. Today, the market has crossed 25 lakh registrations in FY2025–26, with penetration in most of the segments close to 5% and over 52,000 public charging stations operational nationwide. We are happy to be part of the growth journey, India will need at least 1.32 million charging stations by 2030, against a charging infrastructure market estimated at USD 2 billion.

The next phase demands localisation, reliability, and solutions built for India's diverse operating conditions, particularly in commercial mobility.

At Gulf, we constantly innovate and bring newer technologies to build an EV network that is seamless, scalable, and future-ready. With Tirex, we hold a 30–35% share of India's fleet DC fast-charging segment, with an additional ₹50 crore committed to scaling annual capacity to 3,000 units. Alongside these investments in AC charging and EV software solutions, we have achieved 55% component localisation in charger manufacturing.”

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said electric mobility is moving into a broader adoption phase in India, supported by improving products, longer driving ranges and expanding charging infrastructure.

“Electric mobility is no longer an alternative; it is becoming a defining force in India’s mobility future. In fact, the conversation is rapidly shifting from ‘Why electric?’ to ‘Which electric?’ Sustainability remains fundamental, but customers are discovering that going electric also means instant performance, cutting-edge technology, lower running costs and an exceptionally refined driving experience. With more compelling products, 500 km-plus ranges becoming increasingly common and charging infrastructure expanding, range anxiety is steadily giving way to range confidence.

At BMW Group India, we did not wait for the EV market to happen — we helped create it. Over the years, we have built awareness and confidence, introduced a strong portfolio of electric vehicles, invested in local production and created a comprehensive charging ecosystem for our customers. The results speak for themselves: today, one in four BMWs sold in India is fully electric, and our EV portfolio grew nearly 80% in the first half of the year. Electric is no longer the future — it is very much the present. And we are only getting started. With Neue Klasse coming to India, we will take the next leap, offering ranges of over 800 km alongside a new generation of technology and driving experience. The industry is accelerating, but infrastructure must now keep pace with aspiration. India needs faster expansion of charging infrastructure, supported by clear and comprehensive nationwide guidelines for its deployment and use. The direction is clear. The momentum is real. Now the task is to turn momentum into scale.”

Tapan Ghosh, CEO – VinFast Asia, said India’s EV market is moving from building its foundations towards scaling adoption, with product availability, charging infrastructure, localisation and policy support shaping the next phase.

"2026 marks an important milestone in India's EV journey. The industry is moving beyond building the foundations to scaling adoption. More importantly, the market is becoming increasingly mature. Product choices are expanding, charging infrastructure is strengthening, localisation is improving, and policy support is helping create a more sustainable ecosystem. At VinFast, we see this as the beginning of the next phase of growth—where electric mobility becomes an integral part of India's automotive landscape rather than an emerging alternative. We remain confident in India's long-term potential and are committed to contributing to that journey."

Samrath S Kochar, Founder and CEO, Trontek Electronics Ltd, said India’s EV transition is entering a more mature phase, with greater focus on reliability, safety, infrastructure and the overall cost of ownership. 

"India’s electric mobility journey is entering a more mature phase, with the focus now shifting from adoption to the quality, reliability and sustainability of that adoption. The next wave of growth will depend on reliable batteries, stronger charging and swapping infrastructure, higher safety standards and lower total cost of ownership. For commercial EVs in particular, uptime and battery performance directly impact livelihoods and business viability. India’s opportunity lies in building an integrated EV ecosystem backed by technology, local manufacturing and robust after-sales support. At Trontek, we are focused on building reliable, locally manufactured battery solutions that can support this transition at scale. This will be critical to making electric mobility accessible, dependable and scalable across the country."

Anurag Choudhary, CMD and CEO, Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd, said India’s EV transition will require greater focus on battery materials, technology development, domestic manufacturing and R&D.

"India's shift to electric mobility is no longer a matter of choice — it is an economic inevitability. Rising fuel costs, energy security imperatives and the demand for a more efficient mobility ecosystem have converged to make electrification a national necessity. This World EV Day, our task is clear: to make this transition affordable, technologically self-reliant and globally competitive.

At Himadri, we did not wait for the EV wave — we prepared for it years before it arrived. Our philosophy has always been to anticipate the chemistry and technologies that will define the future, not merely respond to market demand. That conviction, anchored in deep R&D, is today translating into advanced battery-material technologies - including LFP cathode active material, whose unmatched combination of safety and cost competitiveness makes it the chemistry of choice for India's EVs and energy storage.

We are equally focused on what comes next. Silicon-carbon anode technology is emerging as the defining breakthrough of the next phase of EV evolution - the key to faster charging, longer range and higher energy density. Himadri is actively developing this next-generation technology, positioning India at the frontier of global battery innovation rather than behind it.

India's true opportunity extends far beyond assembling battery cells. Real competitiveness will come from a strong, backward-integrated domestic ecosystem for battery materials and components - built on sustained R&D, world-class scale and global technology collaboration. That is precisely the ecosystem Himadri is building. For us, the EV transition is more than a market opportunity. It is a chance to power India's sustainability ambitions and secure its technology independence — from the molecule up." 

Anshuman Divyanshu, CEO – EVSE Business, Exicom Tele-Systems Limited, said the focus of India’s EV adoption is increasingly shifting from vehicle range to the availability, accessibility and reliability of charging infrastructure.

“For the last two years, every EV conversation in India revolved around one number: how far can it go on a single charge? That question is largely answered now. Batteries have caught up, and most daily driving comfortably fits within what a modern EV can do. What decides adoption from here is more nuanced: does an owner have to build their day around finding a charger, or does the charger simply show up and work where their day already happens, at home, at work, and on the routes they already drive? This World EV Day, that's the shift worth aiming for: not just how far an EV can travel, but how naturally charging can become part of everyday life.”

Reshu Madan, President and SBU Head, Havells India, said the next phase of India’s EV adoption will require reliable charging infrastructure and greater focus on domestic manufacturing and technology.

“India's EV revolution is no longer about adoption alone. It is about building the confidence to scale.

As millions of consumers and businesses embrace electric mobility, the focus is shifting towards an ecosystem that is dependable, intelligent, and future-ready. Charging infrastructure will play a defining role in this transformation, and it must deliver more than convenience. It must inspire trust.

At Havells, trust has been built over decades through our commitment to electrical safety, quality & innovation. Through Havells MotrON, we are bringing that same legacy to electric mobility with charging solutions designed for homes, workplaces, fleets & highways. From AC chargers that power everyday journeys to DC fast chargers that enable mobility at scale, MotrON is built on the principles that have always defined Havells: Safety First, Technology Forward and Reliability Always. We believe the future of mobility will be deeply connected with renewable energy, energy storage & intelligent energy management. Charging infrastructure will become a critical part of a larger energy ecosystem that is cleaner, smarter, & more efficient. On World EV Day, we reaffirm our commitment to powering India's electric future through solutions that are not only made for today's needs but engineered for tomorrow's ambitions.
Because every EV need power. But India's transition deserves trust”

Virendra Goyal, Head – EV Charging, Tata Power commented, "World EV Day this year finds Indian mobility at a genuinely different place. EV penetration crossed 12% in August — roughly one in eight vehicles sold now runs on a battery, against under 10% a year ago. That is a shift no single part of the ecosystem could have delivered alone, and one that leaves all of us with a shared responsibility to match the pace.

As adoption widens beyond metros and beyond early adopters, the experience has to hold up for a first-time buyer in a tier-two city as reliably as it does in Mumbai or Delhi. Our conviction is a simple one — clean energy has to be affordable, accessible and dependable. That is what turns an intention into an everyday choice.

At Tata Power, that is where we are putting our effort: expanding across highways, residential societies, workplaces and city hubs, while weighting uptime and renewable integration as heavily as network reach.

The energy transition is the defining build-out of this generation, and the scale India is heading towards will need more of everyone. We are glad to be building it alongside the rest of the industry rather than apart from it."

Muthu Subramanian, MD & General Manager, Yuma Energy, said the next phase of India’s EV adoption will require greater focus on vehicle uptime, energy accessibility and charging infrastructure, particularly for high-utilisation two- and three-wheelers.

“India’s EV transition is moving beyond early adoption, and as demand scales, the focus must increasingly shift from putting more EVs on the road to keeping them moving. Accessibility to energy and vehicle uptime will be critical, particularly for high-utilisation two- and three-wheelers where every hour of downtime can impact productivity. Battery swapping addresses this by enabling users to access charged batteries in minutes, rather than keeping vehicles idle for extended charging periods. As India builds the infrastructure required for its next phase of electric mobility, swapping can play an important role in making energy more accessible, improving utilisation and strengthening the reliability of EVs. The future of EV adoption will depend on infrastructure that keeps pace with demand.” 

Ravi Mehra, MD, Uno Minda, said India’s EV transition will require continued focus on localisation, innovation, R&D and strengthening the domestic automotive supply chain.

“World EV Day is a powerful reminder of the transformation underway in mobility and our collective opportunity to build a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable transportation ecosystem. With supportive policies, expanding infrastructure, evolving consumer preferences, and rapid technological advancements, India is well-positioned to accelerate its electric mobility journey and emerge as a significant global EV hub.
 
At Uno Minda, we are actively driving this transition with an already extensive portfolio of EV-specific components. As a technology-led mobility solutions provider, our deep commitment to localization and the ‘Make in India’ initiative powers our continuous investment in R&D and advanced manufacturing. By delivering locally engineered, next-generation EV solutions tailored to the evolving needs of automakers and consumers, we are not just supporting the transition—we are building a self-reliant, future-ready electric mobility ecosystem for India and the world." 

Rohit Saboo, CEO, NBC Bearings, said India’s EV transition will require greater focus on innovation, localisation and engineering across the automotive value chain, supported by continued collaboration between industry and policymakers.

“World EV Day is a reminder of the significant progress India has made towards building a cleaner and more sustainable mobility ecosystem. As electric mobility continues to gain momentum, the focus must increasingly be on strengthening the entire automotive value chain through innovation, localisation and advanced engineering.
India accelerates its journey towards electrification with continued collaboration between industry, policymakers and the wider mobility ecosystem will be critical. Through innovation and engineering excellence, we remain committed to contributing to India’s evolving mobility landscape and supporting the transition towards a more sustainable and future-ready automotive ecosystem." 

Priyank Rakholiya, Founder & CEO, Avore Electric, said India’s electric two-wheeler market is moving towards greater product maturity, with performance, reliability, intelligence and localisation becoming increasingly important.

“India’s electric two-wheeler industry has moved well beyond the early-adoption phase. With EVs gaining a larger share of the two-wheeler market, the next phase will be defined by product maturity, performance, reliability, intelligence and, importantly, deeper localisation. While electric scooters have led adoption, we believe electric motorcycles represent the next significant opportunity, particularly as consumers begin to look for EVs that deliver the performance and riding experience they have traditionally associated with motorcycles.
 
At Avore, we believe India should not just be a market for EV technology, but a technology creator. That is why we have spent three years building nine critical vehicle systems in-house, from the battery management system and motor to the controller, charger and operating system. Our focus is to build an electric motorcycle that is engineered in India for the way India rides—combining performance, intelligence, practicality and everyday usability.
 
On World EV Day, the opportunity ahead is clear, ‘Make in India’ must evolve from manufacturing vehicles to building the intellectual property, engineering capabilities and technologies that power them. The next chapter of India’s EV story will belong to companies that can innovate from the ground up and create products that make electric mobility not a compromise, but the preferred choice.”

Kumar Ashu, Co-Founder, Exeliq Tech Solutions, said India’s EV industry will need stronger testing and validation processes as volumes increase, with reliability and safety becoming increasingly important across the vehicle and component development cycle.

"India’s EV journey is moving rapidly from adoption to scale, and the next challenge is building confidence in every vehicle that reaches the road. Robust testing and validation cannot remain a final checkpoint before certification. They must be integrated throughout product development and manufacturing. Batteries, BMS, chargers, motors, and power electronics all need to be validated under realistic operating conditions to identify failures before they reach customers. As EV volumes grow, even a small reliability issue can have a much larger impact on customer trust and customer safety. Building stronger validation capabilities alongside manufacturing will therefore be critical to creating an EV ecosystem that is not only innovative but also safe, reliable, and trusted."

Bharath Krishna Rao, CEO & Co-founder, Emobi, said the next phase of India’s EV adoption will depend on making electric mobility more affordable, practical and scalable, with improvements in charging and battery infrastructure, energy management and real-world applications.

“EV Day is a timely reminder that the shift to electric mobility is not only about adopting a cleaner technology, but about making sustainable transportation practical and accessible for everyday use. With India recording increasingly high numbers of EV registrations and emerging as one of the world’s largest electric two wheeler markets, consumer acceptance is steadily gaining momentum. The next phase will depend on making electric mobility more practical, affordable, and scalable by improving the charging and battery infrastructure, by implementing efficient energy management, and by coming up with solutions based on real world usage. As the ecosystem continues to expand, the industry must ensure that affordability, convenience and sustainability move together. The success of India’s electric mobility journey will ultimately be measured by how effectively it can reduce the cost of motoring while delivering cleaner and more efficient transportation for consumers and businesses.”

Pulkit Khurana, Co-founder and CEO, Battery Smart, said India’s EV transition will increasingly require scalable energy-access solutions, particularly for high-utilisation two- and three-wheelers where uptime and operating economics are critical.

“India’s EV transition is entering a new phase, where the focus is shifting from adoption to building the infrastructure and services needed to sustain growth at scale. For high-utilisation 2W and 3W users, particularly those powering India’s last-mile and gig economy, uptime and economics are critical. Our Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model addresses both by reducing upfront battery costs and charging downtime, while enabling higher vehicle utilisation and earning potential.
Today, our network spans 325,000+ connected smart batteries across 90+ cities, serving 1 lakh+ drivers through 1,500+ battery stations and enabling 4.5 billion+ clean kilometres. This demonstrates how BaaS can create meaningful impact at the intersection of economics, accessibility and sustainability.

As India accelerates its EV transition, scalable energy-access models will be critical to making electric mobility a practical, sustainable and economically viable choice for millions of drivers and businesses.”

Ganesh Mani, CEO, Switch Mobility, said government policies and incentives have supported the early adoption of electric commercial vehicles in India, while the next phase will increasingly depend on total cost of ownership, operating efficiency and payback periods.

“Government policies and incentives have been critical to the early adoption of electric commercial vehicles in India, helping fleet owners overcome the risks of new technology and higher upfront costs.

As the technology and ecosystem mature, the focus is shifting towards total cost of ownership, lower operating costs and greater efficiency.

The World EV day is a reminder to us as an industry that all our efforts towards Net-Zero and a sustainable future will rely on our collective effort. With electric bus penetration potentially reaching 10% by FY2028-29, the next phase of growth will be led by private-sector customers, including private operators, B2B logistics platforms and private bus operators. For them, operational economics and payback timelines matter. That’s where, the commercial vehicle sector will be able to move from early adoption to true scale.”

Anand Mimani, CEO – EV & New Energy Business, Blue Energy Motors, said the transition to electric heavy-duty commercial vehicles will depend on addressing vehicle uptime, energy accessibility and total cost of ownership, alongside the development of supporting infrastructure.

"Electric mobility is creating new opportunities to build a cleaner, more efficient and resilient transportation ecosystem. As adoption continues to grow, the focus must remain on delivering solutions that generate long-term value for customers, businesses and the broader economy.

For the heavy-duty commercial vehicle industry, accelerating the transition requires addressing the fundamental challenges of vehicle uptime, energy accessibility and total cost of ownership. As operators increasingly prioritise productivity and operational efficiency, the industry must move beyond vehicles to build the ecosystem that supports large-scale adoption. At Blue Energy Motors, we are contributing to this transition through an integrated approach that combines advanced electric trucks with battery swapping, charging infrastructure and energy solutions designed for high-utilisation freight operations. We believe that making electric trucking commercially viable, operationally efficient and scalable will be instrumental in reducing emissions, strengthening India's energy independence and building a future-ready freight ecosystem."

Dr. Srikanth Reddy Kalakonda, Founder & CEO, Hala Mobility, said the next phase of India’s EV adoption will depend on strengthening the wider ecosystem around electric vehicles, including financing, charging, maintenance, fleet utilisation and lifecycle management.

“India’s electric mobility journey is entering a phase where adoption will increasingly be determined by the strength of the ecosystem around the vehicle. While EV sales and penetration remain important indicators, commercial mobility requires a much broader approach that addresses affordability, financing, charging, maintenance, fleet utilisation and vehicle lifecycle management. For gig workers and last-mile businesses, an EV has to work not just as a cleaner alternative, but as a commercially viable asset that can deliver consistently every day. We are seeing growing interest in electric fleets, but the next wave of adoption will depend on making these vehicles easier to finance, operate and maintain at scale. At Hala Mobility, our focus has been on building this wider ecosystem by combining EV access with financing, fleet operations, charging and swapping infrastructure, technology and lifecycle management. As India accelerates its transition to electric mobility, stronger collaboration between manufacturers, fleet operators, financiers, infrastructure providers and policymakers will be critical to making EV adoption sustainable and commercially scalable.”

A Yulu spokesperson said the next phase of India’s electric mobility transition could be driven by shared EVs, which can lower upfront ownership costs and improve access to mobility, particularly for gig workers.

“Moving from conventional vehicles to electric is an important first step in reducing the cost of mobility. But the bigger opportunity lies in shifting from ownership to access and usage. For millions of Indians, especially gig workers, the biggest barrier isn't the cost per kilometre but the upfront cost, financing and maintenance that come with owning a vehicle.

Shared EVs fundamentally change that equation, providing affordable access to mobility without the burden of ownership. As India's largest shared EV player, we've seen this first-hand: our EVs are accessible to one of the sections of society that needs them the most, gig workers, and have also reduced their cost of mobility by 30–40% compared to petrol vehicles, while lowering the entry barrier to earning opportunities.

With more than 20 million green deliveries powered every month, we believe the future of affordable mobility lies not just in electrification, but in combining EVs with shared usage at scale.”

Narayan Subramaniam, CEO and Head of Design at Ultraviolette Automotive, said, “India’s EV story is now entering a new phase. Electric mobility is no longer simply an alternative, it is increasingly becoming a mainstream choice for consumers. The next phase of this transition will be defined by how effectively we can bring down the cost of motoring, but without affecting the standard of the product. Affordability in electric mobility should never mean compromise.

India’s EV market is moving beyond the question of whether consumers will switch to electric. We are now seeing demand for well-engineered products that are challenging supply, particularly in the two-wheeler segment. The next phase of growth should be about building better products, integrating technology more deeply and allowing economies of scale to bring costs down naturally as adoption grows.

Greater investment in Indian R&D, cell manufacturing and higher-energy-density battery technologies can fundamentally change the economics of EVs, particularly when batteries remain one of the largest contributors to vehicle cost. Reducing our dependence on imports is not just about building a stronger domestic supply chain, it is about creating the technology capabilities in India that can make Indian EVs better, more efficient and globally competitive.”

Saket Mehra, Partner and Auto & EV Industry Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, commented, “The EV transition is often viewed through the lens of transport, but its significance is far broader. It is a key enabler of national climate commitments, energy independence and future industrial growth.

As the world accelerates efforts towards net-zero ambitions established under the Paris Agreement, electrification of mobility will play a decisive role in reducing emissions while creating new economic opportunities.

The next phase will be defined by investment in charging infrastructure, battery ecosystems, renewable energy integration and circular value chains, creating a foundation for long-term, sustainable competitiveness."

Akshit Bansal, Founder & CEO, Statiq, commented, "Statiq is rapidly scaling its infrastructure and deploying advanced technology to make EV charging more accessible and convenient nationwide. The company’s vision is to accelerate adoption by ensuring reliable, user‑friendly charging solutions that support India’s transition to sustainable mobility."

Madhumita Agrawal, Founder & CEO, Oben Electric, said, "India’s EV journey is entering a new phase, the conversation is shifting from adoption to mainstream acceptance. With EV registrations crossing 25 lakh in FY2025-26, the momentum is clear, with electric two-wheelers emerging as one of the strongest drivers of this transition. 

The industry must continue to focus on the accessible pricing, dependable products, convenient charging, strong after-sales support and a robust domestic EV ecosystem. Continued policy support, alongside investments in technology and manufacturing, will further strengthen this transition. 

World EV Day is a reminder that the future of mobility is not just about making vehicles electric; it is about making electric mobility practical, aspirational and accessible to millions of Indians. The next chapter of India’s EV story will be about making that transition truly mainstream."