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Chat With UsBy Ruhail Syed • Thu Jan 22 2026
The EV industry is undoubtedly growing, but a fundamental issue is being overlooked: affordability, practicality, and real-world adoption, especially in the Indian market.
Today, EVs are being positioned as premium or luxury products by many manufacturers. However, if the real objective is large-scale transition and environmental impact, this approach may actually be slowed rather than accelerated.
Let the reality in India be looked at.
A basic petrol vehicle can be bought for around ₹5 lakh on-road. Meanwhile, the cheapest EVs available today started closer to ₹8 lakh on-road. Even models like the Tata Tiago EV are roughly ₹1.5–2 lakh more expensive than their petrol or diesel counterparts.
For a first-time car buyer, this price gap is considered significant. Naturally, the question is raised: Why would an EV be chosen when petrol or diesel options are cheaper at the base price?
Yes, long-term savings are offered through lower running and maintenance costs. However, concerns about battery replacement, ownership anxiety, and the current limitations of charging infrastructure cannot be ignored.
Another important factor is how cars are actually used. If EVs are mainly pushed into the ₹20–30 lakh luxury segment, adoption will be kept limited. Realistically, a ₹30 lakh vehicle is not bought just for daily city commutes. Long highway drives, touring comfort, and unrestricted usage are expected by buyers in this segment.
But the EV transition, especially in India, is about mass adoption, not premium experimentation. Until charging infrastructure is made widespread, reliable, and seamless, the focus should be placed on: Entry-level EV hatchbacks Urban and predictable daily usage Affordable ownership
Most daily commuters are not driven 200 to 300 km every day. For city mobility, a real-world range of 150 to 200 km is considered more than enough if the vehicle is priced well and easy to use.
Another important point that needs more focus is R&D. Heavy investment in research and development should be made by manufacturers to make EVs reliable, practical, and simple, just like today’s entry-level petrol or diesel hatchbacks. These vehicles succeed not because they are luxurious, but because they are proven to be reliable, easy to maintain, practical for everyday use, and trustworthy for first-time buyers.
An entry-level EV must be offered with the same confidence and peace of mind. That confidence alone can become the strongest reason for an EV to be chosen over an ICE vehicle.
One thing should be made clear: EVs are not meant to compete with petrol or diesel vehicles as luxury alternatives. They are meant to replace petrol and diesel vehicles for everyday mobility.
If EV adoption in India is truly meant to be boosted, the mindset must be changed. EVs should not be seen as premium products, but as practical, affordable, and reliable mobility solutions.
The real breakthrough will come when an EV is priced close to an entry-level petrol or diesel hatchback, daily commuting needs are met, today’s charging infrastructure limitations are worked within, and the vehicle is engineered to be as reliable and practical as an ICE hatchback. Only then can petrol and diesel vehicles be replaced at scale, not as a premium choice, but as the default choice for everyday driving.
At Revolution EV Asia 2026, panel discussions are hosted that are centred on practical solutions and policy changes. These conversations can truly change the EV industry by affordability, infrastructure, and real-world adoption being tackled.