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.”