The Grand EV Push: Still A Long Way Ahead For E-4W To Gain Ground In The Indian Market

If EV has already been touted as the defining factor that would fuel a sustainable future, where is the roadblock?

Turning The Electric Trick

In a major push towards the adoption of EVs, aligning with its commitment to become a zero-emission global mobility platform, Uber recently rebranded its "Uber Green" service as "Uber Electric" in the US and other parts of the globe. Moreover, it is offering a $4,000 grant to eligible drivers in the US, in a bid to encourage them to switch to EVs. 

Closer home, Uber and other cab-hailing service providers such as Ola and Rapido, among others, are still decoding the plan of action with regard to EV adoption, as the tides have not yet turned towards a sustainable commuting strategy – not to the extent to which the policymakers may have envisaged. 

“Uber’s growth philosophy is based on sustainability, and we have been taking measures to enhance the availability of electric vehicles in our fleet,” says a senior executive associated with Uber.

While Uber adopted a steady approach in scaling up its EV fleet, Ola, which has stumbled on a slump in revenue and quality issues – predominantly with its indigenously manufactured electric scooters, has been rebranding its models to regain its edge in the EV market.

It would perhaps take more than just rebranding strategies for cab-hailing services to achieve their ambitious sustainable targets. “We would not really be persuaded to adopt EVs. It takes only a few minutes to refuel petrol vehicles. But that is not the case with EVs. It consumes our time, and the charging infrastructure is neither cheap nor plentiful,” says Saurabh Yadav, a driver with a cab-hailing service platform.

Take Blusmart, for instance – the rise and fall of which has become a case study. Though the downfall of the fully electric ride-hailing service provider is not directly associated with the EV sector, the collapse of the homegrown company, which once offered a glimpse at a sustainable future, remains a sore spot in the EV value chain.  

Time, Cost – The Hindrance Factors

The ground reality offers a promising yet murky picture, as EV charging infrastructure, despite initiatives by the government, remains a hindrance factor – and this is partly due to the cost incurred, the time consumed, and the fact that the industry, more or less, is still in its nascent stages.   

As per recent updates, the operational guidelines have been set for the rollout of 72,300 public EV charging stations across the country for ₹2,000 crore, under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme. The guidelines have also set a framework for subsidies in setting up EV charging stations.

Data show that EV sales in India took off to a slow start, but picked up eventually (the sale of EVs in India went up from 50,000 in 2016 to 2.08 million in 2024). The sale of E-2W (electric two-wheelers), despite registering a decline lately, dominates the consumer graph, while 15,437 units of E-4W (electric four-wheelers) were sold in July 2025, recording an uptick.

Evidently, electric four-wheelers remain niche. According to a study, E-3W (electric three-wheelers) and E-2W dominate the Indian EV market, with electric four-wheelers accounting for only 4% (2022) of the total EV sales.  

Surge In Demand

The demand for electric four-wheelers has surged in recent years, but it is still mostly opted for by certain sections of society. It is yet to make strides into the mass population. Concerns about adequate charging infrastructure remain a challenge

– Mathew Vettiyil, Director - Sales & Marketing, Capgo e-Ventures

Essentially, E-4W requires rechargeable batteries to run. Therefore, the surge in the sale of electric four-wheelers should also entail the upscaling of the charging infrastructure.

“Nowadays, cab drivers have their own vehicles, and they comprise a considerable portion of the four-wheeler owners in the country. So, it is essential to bring E-4W to them,” Vettiyil stresses.

It is not a secret that India is woefully short of charging stations despite the push by the government to strengthen the necessary infrastructure required to support EVs.

Stocking up on high-quality batteries to swap during an emergency is an alternative, but it is yet to be ascertained whether the four-wheeler users would adopt such a systematic approach.

“More E-4Ws on the road means more waiting time at the charging stations, as each electric four-wheeler requires at least 40 minutes to be fully charged. For instance, if one of the charging stations is already occupied, the customers have to wait for some time, and then spend another 40 minutes charging the vehicle,” says Vettiyil. 

A Holistic Roadmap

To address this challenge, industry experts call for a holistic roadmap towards EV adoption – something that must certainly take into consideration the density of charging stations. At least one EV charging station should be available within a three-km radius to avoid the waiting period and the risk of overcrowding at charging stations.

This continues to be a distant dream.

To add to the woes, each EV charging point can accommodate only up to two vehicles at a time. And the time taken to recharge the vehicles can take anywhere between 30 minutes to over an hour. 

The EV sector is inexorably marching towards becoming the poster child of a zero-emission, sustainable future, as it holds the potential to reduce pollution and carbon emissions. But its true test lies in the penetration of E-4W into the mass consumer market, where niche products become mainstream.

And the higher the demand for electric four-wheelers, the higher would be the need for adequate charging stations; for that matter, their dominance in the market and prevalence on the road must be in tandem.

If the EV dream is to become a reality, the Centre needs a recalibration of the policy framework. The proposals have to be translated into practice.