Anmol Bohhre

Top 7 EV Myths Slowing Down Adoption in India And Why They’re Wrong

India’s transition to electric mobility has moved beyond pilot projects and into the mainstream. Over 17 lakh EVs were sold in FY 2023–24, accounting for nearly 6.4% of total automobile sales. Yet despite this momentum, hesitation still persists among buyers, dealers, and fleet operators—largely because of myths that no longer match reality. These myths delay decision-making, slow adoption, and create unnecessary doubt in an industry that has already proven its capability on Indian roads.

The following seven myths represent the most common barriers. Each one is addressed with facts, industry performance, and India-specific data, offering clarity for decision-makers who want to stay ahead in the mobility transition.

Myth 1: EVs are too expensive

EV sticker prices are often compared directly with petrol or diesel vehicles, leading to the impression that EVs are unaffordable. The real picture emerges only when the total cost of ownership (TCO) is considered.

• Thanks to the FAME-II subsidy and state-level incentives, upfront prices of two-wheelers and three-wheelers have already fallen close to parity with ICE models.
• Operating costs of EVs in India are ₹1–1.2 per km, compared to ₹6–8 per km for petrol vehicles. Fleet operators running delivery vans and e-rickshaws recover the initial cost difference in as little as 18–24 months.
• Battery prices in India have fallen by nearly 85% since 2010, and domestic cell manufacturing under the PLI-ACC scheme is expected to push prices down further.

For dealers and fleet managers, the long-term economics already tilt strongly towards EVs.

Myth 2: EVs don’t have enough range

Range anxiety remains a common concern, but actual driving patterns in India tell a different story.

• The average daily commute in Indian cities is under 40 km, while most modern EVs in India deliver 120–200 km per charge.
• Three-wheelers deployed by e-commerce and logistics firms routinely clock 120–150 km daily, well within the range envelope of existing EVs.
• For passenger cars, vehicles like the Tata Nexon EV and MG ZS EV offer 300–450 km certified range, which covers long intercity trips with just one charging stop.

Practical usage data from fleets confirms that for urban operations, range is no longer a limiting factor—it is already more than adequate for real-world needs.

Myth 3: Charging infrastructure is insufficient

The perception of inadequate charging remains widespread, but infrastructure growth has accelerated rapidly.

• India crossed 12,000 public EV charging stations by March 2024, a 59% year-on-year increase, with dense networks in Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.
• Oil marketing companies like IOCL and BPCL are installing charging points at fuel stations, targeting 22,000+ chargers by 2030.
• For fleets, depot-based charging is proving more cost-effective and reliable than public stations. Delivery companies in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru already operate 100% on depot-charging models.

Most EV owners in India charge at home or at work, making the network a supplement, not the primary solution. Infrastructure is scaling in line with adoption, not lagging behind it.

Myth 4: EV batteries wear out quickly

Concerns around battery replacement costs are often overstated.

• Most Indian Four Wheeler EVs come with 8-year or 160,000 km battery warranties, ensuring confidence in long-term usage.
• Field data from fleets in Delhi, Pune, and Bengaluru show battery health above 85% even after 5 years of operation.
• Recycling and second-life applications are gaining traction, with companies in India establishing formal battery repurposing systems for stationary energy storage.

Battery packs are proving to be durable assets, not liabilities, for individual owners and fleet operators alike.

Myth 5: EVs are not really green in India

Skeptics argue that since India’s grid is still partially coal-based, EVs merely shift emissions. The facts say otherwise:

• Even with the current grid mix, lifetime CO₂ emissions of an EV in India are 30–50% lower than an ICE vehicle, according to NITI Aayog assessments.
• As India targets 50% renewable capacity by 2030, the emission advantage of EVs will continue to widen.
• At the local level, EVs eliminate tailpipe emissions, cutting PM2.5 and NOx pollution critical in cities like Delhi, where transport contributes up to 40% of air pollution in winter months.

For buyers and fleet operators, EV adoption represents a direct contribution to cleaner urban air and reduced fuel import dependence.

Myth 6: EVs are unsafe

Safety misconceptions often stem from isolated incidents of battery fires. The broader record tells a different story.

• Every EV sold in India undergoes AIS-038 Rev. 2 battery safety tests, thermal management validation, and crash tests before approval.
• EVs have a lower center of gravity, reducing rollover risks and improving stability in Indian driving conditions.
• Fire incidents, while widely reported, remain statistically rare. Industry data shows EV fire incidents in India occur in less than 0.01% of vehicles sold, far below the fire incidence rate of petrol two-wheelers.

Safety standards are only becoming stricter, ensuring EV reliability matches or surpasses ICE vehicles.

Myth 7: EVs will overload India’s power grid

• Fears that EV adoption will collapse the electricity grid do not align with actual data.
• Current EV penetration contributes to less than 1% of India’s total electricity demand.
• Studies by CEA and NITI Aayog project that even with 30% EV adoption by 2030, electricity demand will rise only by 4–6%, a manageable increase within planned generation capacity.
• Smart charging pilots in Delhi and Bengaluru have shown that time-of-day pricing shifts most charging to off-peak hours, preventing grid stress.
• Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, now being tested in India, can further stabilize the grid by allowing EVs to supply power back when required.

Rather than straining the grid, EVs represent an opportunity to modernize and balance India’s power sector.

Conclusion

India’s EV industry has entered a decisive growth phase, yet myths continue to slow adoption. The data proves otherwise: EVs are already affordable in lifetime cost, capable in range, supported by growing infrastructure, durable in battery life, cleaner for both the grid and air, safe in operation, and manageable for the power system. For buyers, EVs now offer practical savings and convenience. For dealers, dispelling myths is the key to unlocking sales. For fleet operators, operational economics already favor electrification. The transition is not a distant vision, it is an unfolding reality on Indian roads. The faster these myths are set aside, the quicker India can accelerate towards its goal of clean, self-reliant mobility.