Last year, in 2022, India was standing at 4,55,773 units sold and in 2023, with a YoY growth of 174%, India reported EV sales (in all categories) of 12,47,120, which is almost 3 times what we did in 2022.
Even though the Indian EV market has to undergo many dynamic changes, EV subsidy revoking, horrible EV servicing incidents, tough market conditions, and many ups and downs by the end of the year, our EV market has grown steadily and seamlessly.
Also read: Why EV sales dropped in December suddenly.
But the major question is, who’s responsible for this growth is it the government incentives, the manufacturers, EV infrastructure builders, or the customers? So, in this article, we will decode this question and look at India’s top 5 highest EV sales companies.
Top 5 states with Highest EV Sales this year:
The major reason behind the rising EV sales is the on-road EV subsidies and various incentives provided by the government; here are the top 5 states with the highest EV sales in the year 2023.
1. Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh tops the list when it comes to EV sales in 2023. The state accounted for 17.87% of the total registered electric two-wheeler (E2W) sales and 15.15% of registered electric three-wheeler (E3W) sales in India. Factors like state EV policies, availability of models, and demand from shared mobility providers have driven adoption.
2. Maharashtra
Maharashtra takes the second spot, contributing 12.72% to India’s registered E2W sales and 10.15% to total EV sales. EV policies, charging infrastructure and manufacturing investments, and consumer awareness have supported Maharashtra’s transition to electric mobility.
3. Delhi
Despite space constraints, Delhi witnesses high demand for EVs, especially two and three-wheelers for last-mile connectivity. The state contributed 7.57% to registered E2W sales and 8.85% to total EV sales in 2023 nationwide. Incentives under Delhi’s EV policy have been key for growth.
4. Karnataka
Major EV manufacturing hubs and proactive policies have made Karnataka the fourth top state in EV adoption. It accounted for 9.14% of registered E2W sales and 8.54% of total EV sales last year across India. More charging stations and local manufacturing will further boost these numbers.
5. Rajasthan
Rajasthan government’s efforts to promote EV adoption through policy incentives seem to be paying off, with the state capturing a 7.08% share of India’s registered E2W sales and a 6.40% share of total EV sales. Lower running costs compared to ICE vehicles also drive consumer demand.
Conclusion:
Uttar Pradesh led EV adoption across India in 2023, contributing nearly 18% of registered electric two-wheeler sales nationwide. Maharashtra followed in second place with around 13% market share thanks to supportive policies, infrastructure, and manufacturing. Delhi took the third spot through strong demand for electric two and three-wheelers for urban shared mobility needs. Karnataka and Rajasthan round off the top five, aided by local EV manufacturing and government incentives to drive consumer acceptance.
Overall, while demand-side factors like rising costs of petrol fuels spur many buyers towards electric options, state-specific policy measures and availability of public charging have been pivotal for EV growth across regions. As more affordable products launch and supportive financing schemes take shape, Tier 2 and 3 cities will define the next phase of EV expansion.
With the top five states setting a precedent, electric mobility seems firmly at an inflexion point as it enters the mass market phase. Higher interstate coordination and experience sharing will also catalyse widespread adoption. Despite December’s seasonal blip, the 174% annual rise proves policy and consumer forces now firmly back the irreversible transition to EVs across vehicle categories in India.
