India's electric vehicle (EV) revolution gained significant momentum in 2025, with annual sales reaching a landmark figure. According to a recent report by the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), which cited data from the Vahan Portal, the country registered 2.3 million units of electric vehicles during the year. This impressive volume represented 8 per cent of all new vehicle registrations across the nation, signaling a decisive shift towards sustainable mobility.
Market Breakdown and Segment Leaders
The surge in EV adoption was primarily fueled by supportive government policies and heightened consumer spending during festive periods. A deep dive into the numbers reveals a clear leader. The two-wheeler segment emerged as the undisputed champion, accounting for a massive 1.28 million units of the total EV sales. This dominance meant that electric scooters and motorcycles alone grabbed a 57 per cent share of the entire EV market.
Following two-wheelers, the three-wheeler category secured the second position with 0.8 million units sold, claiming a 35 per cent market slice. Electric passenger cars, or four-wheelers, logged sales of 175,000 units. The report also highlighted promising growth in the electric delivery vehicle space, particularly within smaller commercial segments.
Regional Powerhouses and Surprising Performers
The adoption of electric vehicles was not uniform across the country, with certain states racing ahead. Uttar Pradesh led the pack by selling a remarkable 400,000 EV units, giving it an 18 per cent share of India's EV market. Maharashtra followed as a strong contender with 266,000 units sold, contributing 12 per cent, while Karnataka took third place with 200,000 units and a 9 per cent market share. Together, these three states were responsible for over 40 per cent of national EV sales.
Beyond the high-volume states, several regions showcased exceptionally high adoption rates relative to their internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales. Delhi, Kerala, and Goa achieved impressive EV-to-ICE ratios of 14 per cent, 12 per cent, and 11 per cent respectively. Notably, states from the Northeast also performed well, with Tripura and Assam recording ratios of 18 per cent and 14 per cent.
Broader Automotive Context and Government Push
To understand the scale of the EV achievement, one must look at the overall automotive landscape. The total vehicle registrations in the passenger car market for 2025 stood at 28.2 million. Within this, two-wheelers of all types led with 20 million registrations, followed by passenger cars at 4.4 million and agricultural vehicles at 1.06 million. EV sales showed steady growth throughout the year, with a noticeable uptick during festivals, thanks to GST benefits.
The report underscored a major milestone in the three-wheeler segment, which achieved a market penetration of 32 per cent. Furthermore, the government set a record with its largest-ever order for 10,900 electric buses, valued at a colossal Rs 10,900 crore, under the PM E-DRIVE scheme. This massive procurement underscores the commitment to electrifying public transport.
In conclusion, while smaller vehicles like two and three-wheelers are currently driving EV adoption, the report emphasized that concerted government efforts to electrify larger commercial vehicles and expand charging infrastructure are laying a solid foundation. These initiatives are poised to propel India's EV sector into a phase of sustained and accelerated growth well beyond 2025.
