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The automotive industry is rapidly evolving in terms of technology and its ability to tackle environmental issues. Electric vehicles (EVs) have been introduced as a clean energy initiative as they offer low or zero emissions and have come a long way to become an integral part of OEMs’ business strategies. Automakers are creating separate EV business units to prepare themselves for the expected EV boom. However, the surge in EV demand will create significant demand for charging infrastructure; safety regulations and standards will also have to be implemented.

India is still a nascent market in terms of EVs; nevertheless, OEMs have started experimenting and preparing themselves for the inevitable – a future that is electric. Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra were the first entrants in the EV market, and Maruti Suzuki plans to enter this space in the near term with a small compact EV as its first offering.

Taking into account early adoption trends, eMobility will first penetrate the commercial and the fleet markets. Although mass adoption is not likely to happen in the short term, two wheelers and three wheelers are likely to witness substantial success right away. Battery capacity, especially for electric two wheelers, is likely to be a non-issue as bikes and mopeds are mainly used for inter-city travel/short distances; therefore, two wheelers are likely to be immensely successful.