Why Owning an Electric Vehicle in India is a Challenge in 2024

Worldwide, electric cars, or EVs, are heralded as the way of the future for transportation. India is pushing towards electric vehicles (EVs) in order to achieve its climate change mitigation pledges, combat rising pollution, and lessen its reliance on fossil fuels. In India in 2024, buying an electric car comes with a number of obstacles, despite the growing popularity of these vehicles. Though the government has put in place a number of policies to promote the use of electric vehicles, there are still major obstacles that prevent their widespread use.

The main causes of the ongoing difficulty of buying an electric car in India are examined in this article.

Inadequate infrastructure for charging

The absence of suitable infrastructure for charging electric vehicles (EVs) in India is one of the biggest barriers to their adoption. Even if public charging station infrastructure has improved in key cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, it is still woefully inadequate to satisfy the demands of the quickly expanding EV market.

• Sparse Distribution of Charging Stations: A large portion of rural and semiurban areas are underserved by the majority of charging stations, which are concentrated in urban areas. This is a serious problem for long-distance drivers since they have “range anxiety,” or the worry that they won’t find a charging station close by.
• Slow Charging Speeds: Even when drivers locate a station, they may have to wait for hours for their vehicles to fully charge because the public charging stations that are now in place frequently have slow charging speeds. This severely restricts the usefulness of EVs, particularly for people who require rapid turnarounds or impromptu travel.
• Difficulties with Home Charging: A lot of people in India live in rental properties or apartment complexes where it is not feasible to install a personal charger. For a large segment of the population, owning an EV becomes significantly less appealing if charging is not easily accessible at home.

The High Purchase Price of Electric Cars

Although the initial cost of an electric vehicle (EV) is still too high for many Indian consumers, the long-term operating costs of EVs are typically cheaper than those of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. There are multiple reasons for this:

• Costs of Batteries: An electric vehicle’s cost is mostly related to its batteries. The most popular kind of batteries used in EVs, lithium-ion batteries, are costly to make. Even though they have been getting cheaper everywhere, batteries will still be very expensive in 2024.
• Few Affordable Options: Electric automobiles, particularly in the entry-level class, are hard to come by. In contrast, a growing number of electric scooters and two-wheelers are offered at reasonable costs. Popular electric vehicle (EV) models, such as the Tata Nexon EV and MG ZS EV, are more expensive than their petrol or diesel equivalents, which prevents middle-class households from purchasing them.
• Still insufficient incentives: Under the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) program, the Indian government has implemented tax breaks and subsidies; nevertheless, these benefits are not necessarily adequate to offset the increased upfront costs. Many would-be purchasers are still undecided, waiting for more economical choices or price reductions.

Issues with Battery Life and Performance

Indian customers are frequently worried about the performance and lifespan of the batteries in electric vehicles, especially during inclement weather. Batteries deteriorate with time, and high temperatures—which are frequent in many parts of India—can impair their functionality.

• Problems with Hot Climate: Elevated temperatures can shorten battery life by accelerating degradation. Owners of electric vehicles (EVs) may encounter decreased battery longevity and efficiency in places like Delhi or Jaipur, where summer temperatures frequently surpass 40°C.
• Range Restrictions: While EV models are getting better, their ranges are still shorter than those of ICE cars. For example, depending on driving circumstances, many electric automobiles have a range of up to 200400 km on a single charge. These range restrictions are problematic in India, where lengthy road journeys are typical. The short range combined with a poor infrastructure for charging makes owning an EV less feasible for many people.
• Cost of Battery Replacement: Replacing an EV’s battery may be extremely expensive, frequently costing almost half as much as the car itself. Even though the majority of battery manufacturers provide guarantees, prospective purchasers are nevertheless greatly discouraged by the thought of having to pay for costly repairs or replacements.

Incoherent Policies of the Government

While the Indian government is dedicated to encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles, manufacturers and consumers are left perplexed by inconsistent policies at the state and federal levels.

• Diverse State Policies: States have chosen to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles in a variety of ways. While some states give generous subsidies, others just offer meagre assistance. Customers in one state may greatly profit from having an EV, while those in another may not, due to the inconsistent policies across areas, which produces a fragmented market.
• Lack of Long-Term Clarity: It is challenging for businesses and customers to develop long-term plans when policies are changed frequently, such as when tax benefits, import levies, or manufacturer incentives are modified. For instance, buying an electric car becomes less appealing if subsidies are abruptly cut or eliminated.

Limited After-Sale Support and Model Availability

Even while the selection of electric car models in India is increasing, it is still quite small in comparison to the abundance of petrol and diesel alternatives. When it comes to EVs, consumers frequently discover that there aren’t enough options available to them in terms of size, performance, or price range.

• Lack of Variety: Although a number of manufacturers, like Tata, Mahindra, and MG, are selling electric cars, the selection is not quite as large as that of traditional automobiles. Potential customers might decide to continue with conventional cars because of this lack of options.
• After-Sales Support: Many service centres in India lack the necessary tools to do repairs and maintenance on electric vehicles because these vehicles are still considered a relatively new technology. Furthermore, EV-specific parts like motors, batteries, and power electronics call for particular knowledge and tools that aren’t yet widely available throughout service networks.

Low Public Knowledge and Illusions

The public’s view and awareness of electric vehicles remain problematic. There are still a lot of false beliefs about EVs, especially when it comes to their affordability, dependability, and range.

• Range Anxiety: As previously indicated, range anxiety is still a significant issue. Many buyers worry that there won’t be enough charging stations and are unaware of how practical current EVs can be for daily travels.
• Myths about Performance: Despite advancements in electric car technology, there are still some misconceptions regarding the speed and performance of electric vehicles. Some people think that EVs are not as strong or competent as their internal combustion engine equivalents.

In summary

Even though electric cars point to a greener and more sustainable future, there will be many obstacles to overcome before buying an EV in India in 2024. The sluggish adoption of EVs in the nation is caused by a number of factors, including a lack of charging infrastructure, high initial costs, worries about battery performance, uneven legislation, a restricted selection of models, and misperceptions among the general population. India will need to address these concerns with extensive regulatory reforms, infrastructure spending, and ongoing advancements in battery technology in order to increase the appeal of EV ownership.