Taking EVs Mainstream

Last year saw a leap in electric vehicle (EV) adoption and infrastructure countrywide. Of course, two-wheelers led from the front with 59 per cent of total sales, followed by three-wheelers (39 per cent). Electric car sales in India, too, increased by 20 per cent in 2024, notching up almost 100,000 units, up from 82,688 a year before. So this year, the talking point centres around ample public charging infrastructure to make EV mobility viable.

It has led automakers spruce up the public charging network through their own dealerships and also tying up with multiple vendors. Car manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors and JSW MG Motor India are already preparing a grid of chargers, just like telecom towers, to power EVs despite consumers already receiving home chargers upon purchasing EVs.

With the launch of its first EV eVitara, Maruti Suzuki has already prioritised development of charging infrastructure. The company has claimed that apart from a home charger, the EV customer would benefit from a robust charging infrastructure, particularly when travelling between cities. In the initial launch phase, Maruti will target 100 cities, and eventually, roll it out to 1,000 cities. After-sales support and charging infrastructure are the two pivots driving the company’s EV policy today. For every customer, the company wants a public charger in a radius of 5-10km even as 95 per cent of EV customers use home chargers as of now.

Public charging infrastructure is also necessary since not every car will have a fixed parking space. It would be that much difficult for them to install home charging and bill metres.

As more automakers invest in the charging space, more consumers will consider EVs as a viable option. That will no doubt open up the EV market and contribute to the country’s sustainability goals.

charging stationselectric carsEVsJSW MG Motor IndiaMahindra & MahindraMaruti SuzukimobilityTata MotorsWeb Exclusive