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Charging times can vary widely, often taking an hour or more depending on the state of charge.“>
After over five years of driving an EV, I find myself reflecting on the realities of EV ownership—both the advantages and the challenges. During this duration, India’s EV passenger car market has seen remarkable growth, rising from a mere 0.2% to 2.1% of total car sales. Also, the Indian EV market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 36% by 2030. Passenger EV sales are projected to account for 13% of the overall car market by 2030, up from the current 2%.
To fully realise the potential of EV as the primary choice for consumers, India must explore the initiatives needed to transition them from being an additional option alongside internal combustion engine (ICE) cars to the go-to vehicle for everyday use.
Owning an EV- A real-world perspective:
Driving an EV offers a uniquely enjoyable experience, marked by the significantly low noise that distinguishes it from internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. The cost efficiency is striking, with an average expenditure of just INR 1 to INR 2 per kilometre, much lower than the INR 8 to INR 10 typical of ICE vehicles. Furthermore, maintenance costs for EVs are generally reduced, making the 30% premium paid for an EV over an equivalent ICE model more than justifiable over five years.
In cities like Bengaluru, the charging infrastructure has seen substantial improvements over the past few years, addressing one of the main concerns for potential EV owners. However, range anxiety persists on highways, especially in rural regions where power outages and faulty charging equipment can hamper the experience. Navigating customer support to resolve these issues can be daunting for many drivers.
Charging times can vary widely, often taking an hour or more depending on the state of charge. While DC fast chargers can quickly bring a vehicle to 80% capacity, the final 20% can consume considerable time. It is crucial to promote awareness among users about the benefits of limiting charging to 80%, when possible, as lingering at the charger after completion not only inconveniences other drivers but also contributes to overall frustration in the charging ecosystem. Additionally, the presence of ICE vehicles occupying EV charging spots exacerbates the issue.
Another significant challenge is the resale market for EVs, primarily driven by concerns over battery longevity. Currently, many used car platforms do not accommodate EVs, which limits options for prospective sellers. A collaborative effort between government bodies and EV manufacturers could help alleviate these fears and encourage a more robust second-hand market.
Despite these hurdles, the future of EV appears promising, bolstered by Indian government’s push for Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFÉ) regulations aimed at reducing fuel consumption and setting an aggressive CO₂ emissions target of 70 grams/km by 2032. To meet these goals, India needs to ramp up EV penetration from the current 2% to approximately 15-20% by 2027. The journey ahead is challenging, but the transition to mainstream electric mobility is both necessary and achievable.
Policy support – India making the right strides
The Indian government is taking significant strides to promote EV adoption through the newly launched INR 10,900 crore PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme. This initiative aims to provide substantial upfront incentives and develop essential charging infrastructure, which are critical to expanding the EV market. Additionally, the rationalization of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on EVs, along with Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, is set to drive price parity with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles over the coming years. These concerted efforts signal a strong commitment to accelerating the transition to electric mobility in India, positioning the country to capitalize on the burgeoning global EV market.
Need to improve charging infrastructure:
India has over about 1.96 lakh Electric cars as of now, and 12,146 operational public EV charging stations nationwide.
India is expected to sell about 60 lakh new cars by 2030 and 30% of them to be electric cars. Overall, 40-50 Lakh EV cars can be expected on the roads by 2030. According to the International Energy Association (IEA), the ideal EV-per-charger ratio is 10 EVs for each charging connection. Can India gear-up to create at least 2.5 to 3 Lakh dependable charging stations by 2030? Can green energy sources like wind or Solar be used to power these charging stations? Just as a comparison data point: India has about 85,000 Petrol stations.
Innovation and localisation:
To drive mass adoption of EVs, India needs to aim for models that offer a real-world range of 500 km within a price bracket of INR 8 to INR 10 lakhs. The innovation and scale witnessed in EV cars in other developing countries, as well as India’s own EV Two wheeler segment could provide some valuable insights.
Adopting key strategies such as vertical integration, localized supply chains, and cutting-edge technological innovations are crucial in lowering costs. Any innovation to reduce charging anxiety (apprehension amongst EV owners about the long waiting times at charging stations) would be welcome. Can the India Automotive ecosystem including academia explore a standardised battery swapping infrastructure that can enable battery replacement with a few minutes? This can revolutionise the industry.
While our focus in India has largely been on manufacturing and semiconductors, there is a pressing need to localize high-quality electronic components and batteries to minimize imports. Currently, despite many electronic products being labelled “Made in India,” over 90% of the components are sourced internationally. A change in this reliance can empower the EV market to thrive.
To summarise, India is at a pivotal moment where collaboration between the government, automotive manufacturers, and academic institutions is essential to drive innovation and localization in the EV sector. With the right policies, investment in local supply chains, and a commitment to innovation, India can effectively capture a lion’s share of the burgeoning global demand for EVs. This is not just an opportunity for growth; it is a chance to lead the charge in sustainable transportation, fostering economic development and contributing to a cleaner, greener future for generations to come. The road ahead is filled with potential—let us seize it together.
(Disclaimer: Krishna Kumar, Managing Director, HARMAN India and Automotive Country R&D Leader. Views are personal.)
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To fully realise the potential of EV as the primary choice for consumers, India must explore the initiatives needed to transition them from being an additional option alongside internal combustion engine (ICE) cars to the go-to vehicle for everyday use.
Read by: 100 Industry Professionals
Read by 100 Industry Professionals
Charging times can vary widely, often taking an hour or more depending on the state of charge.“>
After over five years of driving an EV, I find myself reflecting on the realities of EV ownership—both the advantages and the challenges. During this duration, India’s EV passenger car market has seen remarkable growth, rising from a mere 0.2% to 2.1% of total car sales. Also, the Indian EV market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 36% by 2030. Passenger EV sales are projected to account for 13% of the overall car market by 2030, up from the current 2%.To fully realise the potential of EV as the primary choice for consumers, India must explore the initiatives needed to transition them from being an additional option alongside internal combustion engine (ICE) cars to the go-to vehicle for everyday use.Owning an EV- A real-world perspective:
Driving an EV offers a uniquely enjoyable experience, marked by the significantly low noise that distinguishes it from internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. The cost efficiency is striking, with an average expenditure of just INR 1 to INR 2 per kilometre, much lower than the INR 8 to INR 10 typical of ICE vehicles. Furthermore, maintenance costs for EVs are generally reduced, making the 30% premium paid for an EV over an equivalent ICE model more than justifiable over five years.In cities like Bengaluru, the charging infrastructure has seen substantial improvements over the past few years, addressing one of the main concerns for potential EV owners. However, range anxiety persists on highways, especially in rural regions where power outages and faulty charging equipment can hamper the experience. Navigating customer support to resolve these issues can be daunting for many drivers.Charging times can vary widely, often taking an hour or more depending on the state of charge. While DC fast chargers can quickly bring a vehicle to 80% capacity, the final 20% can consume considerable time. It is crucial to promote awareness among users about the benefits of limiting charging to 80%, when possible, as lingering at the charger after completion not only inconveniences other drivers but also contributes to overall frustration in the charging ecosystem. Additionally, the presence of ICE vehicles occupying EV charging spots exacerbates the issue.Another significant challenge is the resale market for EVs, primarily driven by concerns over battery longevity. Currently, many used car platforms do not accommodate EVs, which limits options for prospective sellers. A collaborative effort between government bodies and EV manufacturers could help alleviate these fears and encourage a more robust second-hand market.Despite these hurdles, the future of EV appears promising, bolstered by Indian government’s push for Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFÉ) regulations aimed at reducing fuel consumption and setting an aggressive CO₂ emissions target of 70 grams/km by 2032. To meet these goals, India needs to ramp up EV penetration from the current 2% to approximately 15-20% by 2027. The journey ahead is challenging, but the transition to mainstream electric mobility is both necessary and achievable.
Policy support – India making the right strides
The Indian government is taking significant strides to promote EV adoption through the newly launched INR 10,900 crore PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme. This initiative aims to provide substantial upfront incentives and develop essential charging infrastructure, which are critical to expanding the EV market. Additionally, the rationalization of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on EVs, along with Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, is set to drive price parity with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles over the coming years. These concerted efforts signal a strong commitment to accelerating the transition to electric mobility in India, positioning the country to capitalize on the burgeoning global EV market.
Need to improve charging infrastructure:
India has over about 1.96 lakh Electric cars as of now, and 12,146 operational public EV charging stations nationwide.
India is expected to sell about 60 lakh new cars by 2030 and 30% of them to be electric cars. Overall, 40-50 Lakh EV cars can be expected on the roads by 2030. According to the International Energy Association (IEA), the ideal EV-per-charger ratio is 10 EVs for each charging connection. Can India gear-up to create at least 2.5 to 3 Lakh dependable charging stations by 2030? Can green energy sources like wind or Solar be used to power these charging stations? Just as a comparison data point: India has about 85,000 Petrol stations.
Innovation and localisation:
To drive mass adoption of EVs, India needs to aim for models that offer a real-world range of 500 km within a price bracket of INR 8 to INR 10 lakhs. The innovation and scale witnessed in EV cars in other developing countries, as well as India’s own EV Two wheeler segment could provide some valuable insights.
Adopting key strategies such as vertical integration, localized supply chains, and cutting-edge technological innovations are crucial in lowering costs. Any innovation to reduce charging anxiety (apprehension amongst EV owners about the long waiting times at charging stations) would be welcome. Can the India Automotive ecosystem including academia explore a standardised battery swapping infrastructure that can enable battery replacement with a few minutes? This can revolutionise the industry.
While our focus in India has largely been on manufacturing and semiconductors, there is a pressing need to localize high-quality electronic components and batteries to minimize imports. Currently, despite many electronic products being labelled “Made in India,” over 90% of the components are sourced internationally. A change in this reliance can empower the EV market to thrive.
To summarise, India is at a pivotal moment where collaboration between the government, automotive manufacturers, and academic institutions is essential to drive innovation and localization in the EV sector. With the right policies, investment in local supply chains, and a commitment to innovation, India can effectively capture a lion’s share of the burgeoning global demand for EVs. This is not just an opportunity for growth; it is a chance to lead the charge in sustainable transportation, fostering economic development and contributing to a cleaner, greener future for generations to come. The road ahead is filled with potential—let us seize it together.
(Disclaimer: Krishna Kumar, Managing Director, HARMAN India and Automotive Country R&D Leader. Views are personal.)
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