Assam and Tripura rank in the top three states in terms of EV penetration

As the shift towards electric vehicles gains momentum in India, the North Eastern states of Assam and Tripura have seen the second and third-highest penetration rates in the country for zero-emission vehicles after the national capital New Delhi.

As against the national average of 0.8 percent EV penetration, Assam and Tripura have a penetration rate of 2.16 percent and 2.02 percent, whereas Delhi is in the top position, with 2.71 percent. This was as per data presented in the Rajya Sabha by the Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries, Krishan Pal Singh Gurjar, in response to a question on the growth of electric vehicles in India. 

As per the statistics shared by the Minister in the Rajya Sabha, of the 76,30,921 vehicles registered in the northeast, 11,8151 are electric vehicles. The percentage of total EVs sold as compared to ICE is 0.54%. However, the sales of Tripura and Assam are 2.16 percent and 2.02 percent, showing that these states are leading pan India, as compared to the national average. 

Legacy players such as Greaves and startups like E-Sprinto and Pure EV to name a few, are queuing up with their network expansion strategy in the North Eastern states.

Greaves alone plans to open 100 new outlets in the North-East regions in the coming quarter to distribute spare parts through "Greaves spare parts distributors and retailers", says Narasimha -Jayakumar, CEO of Greaves Retail and Distribution Business.

 "Our primary focus for expanding Greaves Retail and Distribution's reach is in key states like Assam, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, tied to our expectations that this region will contribute significantly and account for 60% of our future business endeavours," Narasimha added.

 Greaves is building its distribution strength in these markets for sales of a new range of electric vehicle spare parts and "Greaves Power Raja Lead – Acid" batteries designed for e-rickshaws.

E-Sprinto, another Delhi-based EV manufacturer, plans to add 30 retail outlets by the end of FY25, with more than half of its expansion focused in Assam and Tripura.

Atul Gupta, Co-founder and Director of E Sprinto says, "Assam and Tripura are fast emerging as India's most promising EV markets. Also, with (most) legacy players giving this region a miss, it is benefiting early and mid-stage startups, who are seeing these regions as a sunrise opportunity to invest both in retail distribution and EV charging, backed by proactive state government policies that are creating a favourable climate for network expansion.”

Delhi based Okaya EV's Managing Director, Anshul Gupta, told Autocar Professional that the company plans to open 50 new retail outlets for its 'FAAST' and 'Freedum' branded electric scooters over the next 24 months, with the majority of these expansions taking place in Assam and Tripura.

"We intend to continue our expansion efforts in the North East Market, where demand for electric mobility solutions is increasing," Gupta said.

Pure EV's ETryst 350 electric motorcycle is also seeing a good uptick in the North East markets, according to Rohit Vadera, CEO of Pure EV, who informed this publication that the company is opening another outlet in Guwahati, which will be its third dealership in the North East after already being present in Manipur.

"Guwahati will be operational beginning in September. We are seeing good volumes for our flagship motorcycle, the Etryst 350, and over the next 12 months, we expect around 15 dealerships to open in the North-East region," he said.