The Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 show, which ended this week, successfully showcased innovative mobility solutions in India and provided a glimpse into the future of the country’s Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) sector. Ammar Master (Director, South Asia) and Kwan Wongwetsawat (Senior Analyst, Global Powertrain) had the privilege of attending the exciting event, and here they share the key takeaways gained from their experience.

The BEV journey in India has gained significant traction, with the Passenger BEV market showing steady growth since 2020. Tata Group and its subsidiary Tata Motors have been at the forefront of introducing affordable BEV ranges and establishing a supportive ecosystem in the market.

As we approach the middle of the decade, several OEMs in India have launched BEVs, with many mass-market models now achieving price parity with mid-to-high equivalent segments of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. In 2024, India maintained its position as the world’s third-largest Passenger Vehicle (PV) market, with BEVs accounting for 2.5% of total sales.

Turning point for BEV growth

This year is poised to be a significant turning point for BEV growth in India. Maruti Suzuki, the country’s leading automaker, has introduced its first global electric SUV – the Suzuki e-Vitara – positioning India as Suzuki’s global BEV production hub. Prominently displayed at the show, the e-Vitara is expected to play a pivotal role for Japanese OEMs in the electrified B-segment SUV ranges. In collaboration with Toyota, the Suzuki e-Vitara aims to strike a balance between cost and performance, with the Toyota Urban Cruiser EV, a sibling model under the Toyota badge, also set to debut this year from the same production line in Gujarat. Both models are anticipated to compete against affordable Chinese BEVs in the European market.

Furthermore, Hyundai has introduced the Creta EV, the BEV version of its popular SUV in India, further driving momentum for BEV adoption in the country. Mahindra is also set to enter the space by launching its fully developed BEV skateboard platform and will commence sales of the XEV.9e and BE.6 early this year. With top-ranked OEMs in India offering BEVs in mass-market segments, consumer confidence in choosing these models for their next vehicle purchase is expected to rise.

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The introduction of the Suzuki e-Vitara and the Creta EV will pose a challenge to Tata Motors and its line-up, especially the Nexon EV, which currently leads the BEV market.

Restrictions on Chinese BEVs

In contrast to other nations, India has imposed stringent regulations to limit the presence of Chinese BEVs due to geopolitical tensions, creating obstacles for direct investments from China. As a result, SAIC has formed a joint venture with local investor, JSW Group, to reinvigorate its operations in India and sustain the growth momentum of the MG brand, which currently ranks second in BEV sales in the country. While BYD has already entered the Indian market, it is encountering challenges in establishing local production facilities, which has resulted in the company being subject to high import duties, ranging from 70-100%.

Government support promises a positive outlook

The Indian government is providing significant incentives for BEV adoption compared to other hybrid types. For example, BEVs enjoy a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate, while Full Hybrid (HEV) and Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles face a 43% GST rate, slightly lower than traditional ICEs but still higher than sub-4-meter vehicles. The government aims to have 30% of PV sales in 2030 be accounted for by BEVs.

Source: GlobalData

With the current momentum, we project that Passenger BEV sales in India will reach 1 mn units by 2030, accounting for 20% of total sales. Alongside the growth of BEVs, we also expect HEVs to gain popularity in the second half of this decade, indicating a shift toward more sustainable mobility solutions in India. The Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 show gave us a preview of what is to come.

Ammar Master (Director, South Asia) & Kwan Wongwetsawat (Senior Analyst, Powertrain Forecasts), GlobalData

This article was first published on GlobalData’s dedicated research platform, the Automotive Intelligence Center.