Electric Car 2025 : There is so much discussion about electric cars all over the world. But there is still no enthusiasm for four-wheeler battery-powered vehicles in India. Although Tata Motors dominates this sector, it is a small sector where companies like Hyundai, Mahindra, Kia and JSW MG Motor are also trying their best. So while electric two-wheelers have gained widespread acceptance here, why have electric cars struggled so far? And will this change?
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India is the third largest automobile market in the world in terms of sales. But the penetration of electric vehicles (EV) here is less than seven percent. Whereas in America it is more than 12 percent and in China it is about 30 percent. The Indian government is aiming to increase EV penetration to 30 percent by 2030. But a few things will determine the direction for the next five years.
What are the biggest obstacles?
Electric two-wheeler (EV) vehicles have achieved a certain level of parity in terms of price with their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts. New players like Ather and Ola Electric are giving tough competition to companies like Hero, Hero Electric and TVS. Even Honda recently introduced the Active E:
But the cars are very expensive purchases regardless of powertrain options. In fact, after property, an automobile is the biggest investment an Indian makes in his lifetime. Thus, the willingness to try a new technology will be limited.
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But the two biggest barriers to EV adoption are certainly cost and driving range. Currently, the cheapest electric car in the country is MG Comet whose price starts at around Rs 7 lakh (ex-showroom). But this is an EV with limited range meant for city commuting. Then there is the Tata Tiago which is priced at Rs 8 lakh (ex-showroom) and is also limited to its driving range of around 300 kilometers per charge.
In a country where penetration of four-wheelers is still around 26 cars per 1,000 people. Electric cars are limited to urban areas and are mostly owned by people who own at least one other vehicle.
So what are the chances?
EV prices are decreasing all over the world. Battery costs are decreasing. While battery technology is improving. This is a big contradiction for mass customers. Because low acquisition cost will be a big blow to the EV industry.
In India, Maruti Suzuki is all set to launch its first electric car – the E Vitara – at the India Mobility Expo in January. Hyundai will also launch its Creta EV next year. Whereas Mahindra has already launched its BE 6 and XEV 9e. More electric cars are expected from luxury brands.
The increase in the number of options means that EVs will be more likely to find more customers, at least in urban centres. Also initiatives like JSW MG Motor's BaaS (Battery as a Service), under which you pay for the battery as a rental based on your driving distance. This means that the pattern of EV ownership is also changing.
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What is the solution regarding driving range?
Two things are very important here. First, the number of public charging points is continuously increasing. Although still mostly concentrated in cities and main highways. But the coming years will see widespread coverage in the public-private partnership format. Secondly, advances in battery technology mean that future mass-market electric cars may also offer good driving ranges. Which can make them viable for occasional long drives. In a country where range anxiety is a very real issue, these factors could spark a wave of change.
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