WRI India partnered with government agencies, manufacturers, financiers and more to bring more electric vehicles to India’s roads. More than 6% of India’s vehicles are now electric, avoiding 10 million tonnes of carbon emissions from 2020-2024.
The Challenge
India’s cities have some of the dirtiest air in the world, with air pollution claiming millions of lives in the country every year. Transportation is one of India’s most polluting sectors. Road transport in particular is responsible for over 13% of the country’s energy-related greenhouse gas emissions.
While India has set goals to reach net-zero emissions by 2070 and ensure 30% of its vehicle sales are electric by 2030, achieving these targets will take significant policy action, infrastructure development and finance.
WRI’s Role
WRI India helped accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the country by bridging policy, infrastructure and knowledge gaps within governments and other organizations. Collaborating with critical stakeholders in the transport sector, WRI India influenced policy design, demand incentives and EV infrastructure expansion while also prioritizing access to clean mobility for low-income groups.
For example, WRI serves as the technical partner for the Bharat Zero Emission Trucking Policy Advisory, which created a policy roadmap for truck electrification in the country — long considered a hard-to-abate sector since it produces close to 40% of road transport emissions. WRI is the secretariat for the Electric Freight Accelerator for Sustainable Transport (e-FAST) India platform, which strengthened the momentum for zero-emission trucks. We convened partners such as NITI Aayog, industry associations, auto companies, state government officials and worker training groups to facilitate knowledge-sharing. And WRI helped launch the Battery360 Alliance to advance discussions between government stakeholders, battery recyclers, and auto and battery manufacturers on how to ensure a circular supply chain for lithium-ion batteries.
At the state and city levels, WRI provided technical assistance and supported pilot programs to build government capacity for the EV transition. All these achievements were made possible through partnerships with government agencies, manufacturers, financiers and civil society — essential to ensure a holistic and inclusive EV transition.
The Outcome
India’s EV adoption rose dramatically from 0.7% of total motor vehicle sales in 2020 to 6.3% in 2024. The country now boasts nearly 5 million registered EVs on its roads, preventing an estimated 10 million tonnes of carbon emissions from 2020-2024 while reducing air pollution and creating jobs. Investments in EVs have also surged, with $15.13 billion from national and state governments and $6.4 billion in private funding.
Growth is expected to continue thanks to a supportive policy environment and market conditions. State EV policies and the PM E-DRIVE scheme, a national initiative to expand charging infrastructure and subsidize the purchase of EVs for public transit and commercial purposes, have bolstered EV manufacturing and adoption. Regions such as Delhi and Chandigarh are leading EV adoption, while Tamil Nadu, home to major auto manufacturers, is spearheading EV production.
The freight sector is also advancing, with an estimated industry demand of 7,750 electric trucks in the country by 2030. Companies including Flipkart and IKEA have piloted e-truck logistics, which will help accelerate this transition. Battery sustainability is also gaining traction through the government’s Battery Waste Management Rules and Advanced Cell Chemistry Production Linked Incentives, which support building a battery supply chain that employs local workers and aims to recycle and reuse batteries. Meanwhile, initiatives from state governments and groups such as the Automotive Skills Development Council are working to equip small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the workforce with the skills they need to support the transition to clean vehicles.
