Unprecedented growth in EV sales and charging infrastructure in 2024, setting a strong foundation for PM E-DRIVE to accelerate the shift toward a sustainable and net-zero future.
Mumbai: Maharashtra emerged among the top three states in India’s electric mobility transformation in 2024, contributing 12% of the nation’s EV sales while significantly expanding its public charging infrastructure to 3,728 stations, the second-highest in the country.
Accelerating EV Adoption in Maharashtra
Maharashtra recorded approximately 2.3 lakh EV sales in 2024, showcasing balanced adoption across vehicle segments:
● Two-wheelers and three-wheelers were key drivers of growth, addressing both personal and commercial transport needs.
● Passenger cars and buses also saw notable adoption, aligning with urban sustainability goals.
Charging Infrastructure Leadership
With 3,728 public charging stations, Maharashtra accounted for 15% of the national total, reflecting its commitment to supporting EV users with accessible infrastructure.
Comparative Performance of Top 10 States in 2024
India’s electric vehicle (EV) revolution in 2024 was spearheaded by a handful of states, with Uttar Pradesh leading EV sales, contributing 19% of the national total, followed by Maharashtra (12%) and Karnataka (9%). These three states accounted for 40% of all EV sales in the country. Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Bihar followed with shares of 7% and 6% each, demonstrating growing adoption across diverse regions. On the infrastructure front,
Karnataka led with the largest public charging network (5,765 stations), accounting for 23% of the national total. Maharashtra (3,728) and Uttar Pradesh (1,989) followed, reflecting strong alignment between sales and infrastructure growth. Delhi and Tamil Nadu rounded out the top five in charging station installations. Together, the top 10 states drove over 70% of India’s EV sales and hosted the majority of its public charging stations, showcasing the regional momentum behind the country’s electric mobility push.
PM E-DRIVE: Addressing the Next Frontier for India
The second iteration of India’s EV demand promotion policy, the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India II (FAME II) concluded in March 2024, after being in force for 5 years. According to the research by ICCT, 69% of the ₹11,500 crore earmarked under the scheme was utilized by the end. Another study by ICCT found that FAME II utilized 75% of the ₹893 crore allocated for charging infrastructure development.
The launch of the ₹10,900 crore PM E-DRIVE scheme in October 2024 further bolstered India's EV transition. Key elements include:
● ₹2,000 crore for public charging stations, accelerating their reach and usability.
● ₹500 crore for electric trucks, marking the first inclusion of this segment to address heavy-duty transport emissions.
● ₹4,391 crore for electric buses, driving urban public transport sustainability.
For the optimum utilization of INR 2,000 crore allocated for the charging infrastructure under the PM E Drive scheme, ICCT study suggests prioritizing:-
• Charging stations in and around residential buildings or multi-unit dwellings
• The development of DC fast chargers for trucks and buses on the Golden Quadrilateral highway network that comprises of 0.5% of India’s road network but carry 40% of the country’s road freight.
• Support for all charging solutions with technology-neutral incentives that apply to all charging methods including wired charging and battery swapping
• Support for specific cost-related challenges like upstream charging infrastructure and land could be subsidized under the scheme’s incentives
Spearheading India’s Climate Commitments:
As one of the most industrialized and urbanized states, Maharashtra’s leadership in EV adoption and infrastructure growth contributes significantly to India’s sustainable transport goals and its journey toward net-zero emissions.
"EV incentive policies, including FAME and PM E-DRIVE, have been major drivers for the initial rise in the EV uptake and charging infrastructure in India. The year 2025 will be crucial as India forges ahead in its transition towards clean mobility, with the potential introduction of supply-side regulations such as fuel economy standards, which is imperative for the country to achieve its climate objectives" – Sumati Kohli, Researcher, ICCT
