The recent increase in fuel prices, combined with calls for austerity measures, is anticipated to significantly drive up sales of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly two-wheelers, according to dealers and industry experts. The Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has already observed this trend, recording over 13,000 EV registrations between February and early May this year.
Rising Registrations and Expert Insights
Sachin Mahajan, president of the Maharashtra chapter of the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), stated that registrations are likely to surpass previous years' figures despite existing infrastructure challenges. "The registration of electric two-wheelers would definitely spiral up. However, the thing with two-wheelers is that they generally do not need charging infrastructure, as users charge them at home. The same could not be the case for four-wheelers. Unfortunately, the infrastructure needed for them has almost been non-existent," Mahajan explained.
Amar J Sheth, secretary of FADA, noted that EV adoption has been steadily increasing. "At present, while electric two-wheelers have a penetration of 4% in the market, four-wheelers have 7%. Sales will improve further this year amid the current circumstances, but we need to consider tier-2 and tier-3 cities as well. Electric vehicles shouldn’t be centred only in the urban market. We need high-speed charging points at different places, including small cities and towns," he told TOI. Sheth added that the central government should push the vehicle scrapping policy aggressively before expecting wider EV adoption in smaller markets.
Dealer Observations and Customer Concerns
An EV dealer in Pune reported a sharp rise in bookings over the last year. "On average, we used to book around 4-5 electric two-wheelers per month in 2024. The numbers climbed to 10-15 in 2025. Since February this year, the average number of bookings has sharply increased to over 30. However, almost all electric vehicle customers enquire about charging points, their locations and long-distance travel," he shared.
Mahajan said FADA had raised the infrastructure issue with the state government. "With sales set to increase, pushing for a better infrastructure would be our priority. Every petrol pump and MSRTC depot should have charging stations. Unlike petrol or diesel vehicles, people have to wait for EVs to charge. This mental shift would only happen once infrastructure improves," he emphasized. He also highlighted delays in subsidy payments from vehicle manufacturers to dealers.
Market Outlook and Growth Projections
Rajeev YSR, an EV expert, told TOI that India's EV market is at a turning point. "With fuel price shooting up and austerity measures in place, EV adoption is likely to accelerate significantly over the next 12-18 months. The transition to electric mobility is no longer only about sustainability; it has increasingly become an economic decision. I expect EV passenger vehicle sales in India to cross 3.5-4 lakh units in FY26, up from approximately 2.3 lakh units in FY25. It would account for nearly 55-60% year-on-year growth, primarily driven by consumers who were previously undecided about switching to electric mobility," he predicted.
According to Pune RTO data, 37,470 EVs were registered in 2025 against 35,995 in 2024. "Electric two-wheeler registrations dipped last year. This calendar year is expected to be the highest ever. The state has an EV policy which provides incentives and subsidies," an RTO official said.
