How Indians are becoming comfortable with electric mobility

This article is authored by Abhinav Kalia, Co-Founder & CEO, ARC Electric.

There is a transformative change in the mobility environment in India. Electric vehicles (EVs) that used to be taken as a niche and an experimental item slowly but surely shift to the belief category in the minds of Indian customers. What used to be a trial by experiment era is currently becoming more of a pattern of trust, indicating the paradigm shift in the face of personal and corporate mobility among Indians.

There are a number of reasons that explain this increasing trust in EVs. To begin with, there is a noticeable increase in technology and infrastructure. Initial issues on the range of the driving process, the presence of the charging stations and battery life have been slowly mitigated as the companies and agencies have made significant investments to address them. As more fast-charging networks are deployed and high-capacity, long-range batteries are proven to be reliable, range anxiety, one of the reasons why battery-only systems are not used as widely as they can be, has become a manageable issue instead of a showstopper.

Another significant role has been played by government policies. The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) schemes, as well as recently introduced budgetary incentives on EV production and battery production, have greatly lowered the overall cost of ownership. Reduced costs of operations, tax incentives and subsidies have not only made EVs more environmentally friendly options but also economical. It is this merging of economic and ecological motivation, which has assisted in occurring the transition between the trial and the trust.

EVs have become tangible to urban commuters, whose daily life is experiencing the benefits of EVs. In the case of ride-hailing services, companies that operate a fleet of employees and rental companies, electric vehicles are a good offer due to reduced maintenance fees, lower noise and predictable electricity costs. More importantly, corporations are adopting EVs as one of their strategic opportunities not only to reduce costs but to show the willingness to commit to sustainability as well. Firms are collaborating with business to optimize the integration of electric fleets that include operational insights, charging infrastructure and predictive analytics that ease the adoption process.

The consumer mindset has been changing radically beyond economics and infrastructure. The first adopters, which can usually be said to be technology enthusiasts or eco-conscious people, played the key role of demonstrating the feasibility of electric mobility. Their experiences, which are communicated across social media, reviews and through word of mouth have developed a trust ecosystem on which other adopters depend. Human beings are no longer coming to EVs with doubt but are making informed choices, supported by facts and life experiences.

It is impossible to overestimate the role of experiential learning. Pilot fleets, test drives and EV rentals with subscription schemes have provided the consumers with the confidence to try the electric cars without making long-term plans. This try-before-you-buy concept has played a key role in eliminating any form of hesitation and making individuals experience the reliability, performance and convenience of electric mobility first hand.


There are also the fast developments in designing and technology of vehicles that have enhanced user experience and comfort. Two-wheelers and four-wheelers with electric power are now competing with their internal combustion equivalents on power, performance and safety. The idea of EVs as a trade-off is being phased out and they are becoming more and more perceived as an advanced, smart option.

With increased trust, the expanded ecosystem is increased. The charging infrastructure, battery swapping solutions are growing as the demand is growing. EVs are also being seen as a feasible asset by financiers, who are providing leasing options, loans and flexible financing options specifically designed to apply to electric vehicles. This integrated ecosystem lowers the friction in all the phases and the adoption is a smooth process among both the consumer and the businesses.

The process of trial to trust in India is symbolic of a greater social change. It is indicative of not just the shifting customer behavior, but also the overall awareness of the need to move to cleaner, smarter, more sustainable mobility solutions. Electric mobility is not a far-fetched dream anymore, it is gaining a mass-market in urban and semi-urban India.

Disclaimer: Views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the original author and do not represent any of The Times Group or its employees.