In October, India saw a sharp rise in electric vehicle passenger-car sales, which surged by 57 % year-on-year to 18,055 units, up from 11,464 units in October 2024. Leading the pack, Tata Motors sold 7,239 units, followed by MG Motor India with 4,549 units and Mahindra & Mahindra at 3,911 units.
Two-wheelers and commercial EVs show mixed dynamics
While passenger cars recorded strong growth, electric two-wheelers saw only modest improvement, with sales rising 3 % to 143,887 units in October compared to 140,225 units in the same month last year. The electric three-wheeler segment grew by 5 % to 70,604 units, and electric commercial-vehicle registrations more than doubled to 1,767 units.
Key drivers behind the passenger-EV jump
The growth in the passenger-EV segment reflects several interlinked factors. The festival season boosted vehicle buying sentiment across India, while sustained introductions of new models helped maintain consumer interest. Additionally, the leadership shown by domestic brands, especially Tata Motors, reinforces the view that Indian-manufactured EVs are gaining competitive traction. At the same time, the widescale rollout of charging infrastructure and supportive government policy signals improved readiness for EV adoption.
Challenges still remain despite the headline numbers
Despite the strong year-on-year jump, the overall volume of EV passenger cars remains modest in the larger context of India’s new-vehicle market, which comprises several hundred thousand units each month. The two-wheeler EV market in particular appears to be hitting a plateau, with low single-digit growth even as niche segments continue to expand. Components constraints, such as a global magnet and semiconductor supply crunch, also remain a wildcard for sustained momentum.
What to monitor next
Looking ahead, it will be critical to track how EV sales growth translates into sustained year-end momentum. Analysts will watch whether the pace holds beyond the festival period, whether new launches from multiple OEMs broaden consumer choice, and how effectively infrastructure and after-sales support scale in line with higher EV volumes. State-level subsidy continuity, battery-supply stability and price competitiveness will also shape the next leg of growth.
What it means
For vehicle manufacturers, the strong October growth reinforces the importance of India’s EV market as a growth area, particularly for passenger cars. Brands that commit to localized EV portfolios and align production-pricing to Indian conditions may gain a strategic edge. For consumers, the improving availability and competitive pricing of EVs suggest that electrified mobility is becoming ever more accessible. On a broader level, the growth signals that India’s EV transition is gaining real momentum, although the move from early-adopter volumes to mainstream scale continues to depend on supply chains, infrastructure and policy alignment
Source: Reddif
