Electric vehicle (EV) searches have increased significantly, according to Justdial, with non-metropolitan cities experiencing a 141% increase in searches between January 2023 and August 2024. This spike in interest in EVs is a sign that the popularity of Electric Vehicles is spreading beyond of India’s major cities, thanks to increased government support, rising public awareness, and developments in EV technology.
The increase in searches demonstrates how popular electric vehicles are becoming in India, particularly in the country’s smaller cities. With an astounding 379% rise, Indore led the list, followed by Surat at 143% and Patna at 230%. Non-metro cities as a whole outgrew their metro counterparts, indicating a shift in interest, though metro cities like Chennai and Kolkata also saw significant increase, at 368% and 114%, respectively. In addition, a comparison of the period from January 2023 to August 2024 the number of electric vehicle dealers increased by 151% countrywide, with Delhi leading the way at 146%.
Similar increases were observed in the electric bus industry, which increased by 142%, and in the rental bike market, where searches increased by 97%, Kolkata experienced the most growth of 167%. Mumbai and Pune increased by 91% and 123%, respectively, after that.
Rising of EV in India in last 2 years
Earlier, during the January-August period of 2022 to 2023, metro cities had grabbed the lead in EV-related searches. Hyderabad stood out, with a 740% increase, while Bangalore and Ahmedabad experienced growth rates of 244% and 272%, respectively. But non-metropolitan cities came into their own between 2023 and 2024, growing at a faster rate than metropolitan areas. The growing acceptance of electric vehicles in Indian cities and non-metropolitan areas is indicative of larger developments in the country.
The Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) reports that from 1.3% in March 2022 to 2.6% in March 2023, sales of electric passenger vehicles doubled. Furthermore, EV retail sales during the first five months of FY2025 totaled 733,000 units, or 43% of the 1.68 million units sold in the preceding fiscal year.
The demand for services is growing across a variety of areas, according to Justdial’s research. During the period of January 2022 to August 2023, the number of electric vehicle dealers experienced a 203% growth, whilst the number of searches for electric car dealers rose by 55%. The demand for electric motorcycles for rent increased significantly by 342%, with Hyderabad leading the way with an astonishing 1,606% increase in linked searches.
Especially in areas that had previously lagged behind major cities, the emphasis on developing Electric vehicle infrastructure, lowering ownership costs, and improving technology has contributed to the growing popularity throughout India.
