The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is underway in India. In FY 2024-25, more than 2 million EVs were sold a growth of around 15.7% over the previous year.
Yet despite this momentum, many deeper challenges remain which will determine whether EVs can scale sustainably across India.
At Mobilane, we believe it’s essential to look beyond the headlines of cost and charging and address the full spectrum of hurdles that EV adoption must overcome. Below is a structured analysis of these challenges, their root causes, and possible pathways forward.
1. The Visible Barriers: Cost & Charging
High Upfront Cost
Even with subsidies (like FAME), EVs often carry a significant premium over comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
- Battery packs still account for a large share of manufacturing cost.
- Import dependence for key raw materials (lithium, cobalt) inflates costs further
Charging Infrastructure Gaps
Range anxiety is real but the problem is not just “not enough chargers.” It’s also about where, how fast, and how reliably those chargers function.
- Rural and semi-urban areas remain “charging deserts” in many states.
- Many publicly available chargers still rely on slower AC units, limiting convenience.
- Local power-grid capacity, land constraints, and permitting challenges hamper charger deployment.
So far, much public discussion centers on these two issues. But they’re just the tip of the iceberg.
2. Underappreciated (Yet Critical) Constraints
After-Sales Service, Repair & Technician Readiness
One of the biggest complaints among existing EV owners is the lack of reliable service networks and trained technicians.
- Spare parts, especially for batteries and power electronics, are often in short supply or slow-moving.
- Technicians often lack specialized training in diagnosing battery systems, thermal management, or power electronics.
Without strong service support, buyers may hesitate to switch from familiar ICE ecosystems.
Geographic & Demographic Divide
EV adoption is heavily skewed toward metro and Tier-1 cities. In smaller towns and rural areas, obstacles multiply:
- Lower purchasing power
- Lack of awareness about EV benefits
- Weak charging infrastructure
- Distrust due to unfamiliarity
Bridging this rural–urban divide will be essential for nationwide scale.
Grid Stability & Energy Mix
Electrification of transport increases load on the electricity network—especially during peak hours.
- Without smart charging systems, simultaneous charging could stress local substations.
- If electricity is largely from coal or fossil sources, emissions gains could diminish.
- Demand for renewable energy, distributed storage, and grid modernization increases.
Battery Lifecycle, Recycling & Second Life
With growing adoption, EV battery waste will emerge as a serious environmental and logistical challenge.
- Recycling infrastructure is still nascent in India.
- Regulations, incentives, and innovation in battery reuse (e.g. second-life use in energy storage) are still evolving.
Consumer Perception, Trust & Resale Value
Even technically sound EVs face perception issues:
- Concerns about battery degradation, resale value, and hidden costs
- Misinformation about performance, range, or safety
- Uncertainty in insurance, towing, or servicing when something goes wrong
These “soft” factors often weigh heavily in consumer decisions sometimes more than specs or subsidies.
3. Pathways Forward: What India Needs (and How Mobilane Can Help)
Build Comprehensive Service Ecosystems
- Encourage auto OEMs and third-party networks to expand service presence beyond cities
- Train and certify technicians in high-voltage systems and battery care
- Streamline spare-parts logistics and inventory
- Offer bundled service warrantees, battery maintenance plans
Prioritize Inclusive Infrastructure Rollout
- Focus charger deployment not just in metros, but along highways, towns, and rural corridors
- Incentivize fast/DC charging hubs and grid-compatible chargers
- Use public-private partnerships and hybrid models (solar + grid) to reduce operational costs
Smart Charging & Grid Solutions
- Promote off-peak charging, time-of-use tariffs, and smart charging algorithms
- Explore vehicle-to-grid (V2G) models, enabling EVs to feed power back to the grid
- Accelerate renewable energy capacity (solar, wind) to service EV load sustainably
Strengthen Battery Recycling & Circular Economy
- Encourage establishment of recycling plants and second-life reuse projects
- Incentivize battery manufacturers to take back used packs
- Foster R&D in lower-cost, less resource-intensive battery chemistries
Build Trust Through Transparency & Communication
- Educate customers about real-world range, charging behavior, and maintenance costs
- Offer buyback and resale guarantees, battery warranties, and transparent performance data
- Collaborate with insurers, regulators, and policymakers to standardize frameworks
4. Conclusion: Beyond Infrastructure, Towards Ecosystem
India’s EV journey is well underway—but for electric mobility to truly succeed, solving for just cost and range won’t be enough. The real success lies in building an ecosystem: service networks, customer trust, grid readiness, recycling, and equitable access.
At Mobilane, we see ourselves not just as participants in the EV space, but enablers of this ecosystem. We believe in innovation, partnership, and holistic solutions that go beyond hardware. If India’s transport future is electric, then our mission is to help power that future—with foresight, inclusivity, and reliability.