ICE cars steal sales show so far this year, EVs in very slow lane
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The electric dream is alive, with glitzy EV launches and a loud government push, but India's bumper-to-bumper traffic remains largely fossil-fuelled. Nine out of 10 cars sold in the first half of 2025 run on internal combustion engines (ICEs).While the government has set an ambitious target for electric vehicles to make up 30% of all passenger vehicle sales by 2030, carmakers are hedging their bets, underscoring the wide gap between policy ambitions and market reality. Maruti Suzuki , India's largest carmaker, sold 87% ICE vehicles - those run on petrol, diesel and CNG - in the January-June period, with hybrid and mild hybrid EVs making up the remaining 13%, data collated by market researcher Jato Dynamics showed.The ICE share of Mahindra & Mahindra, which currently sells three EV models in the country and has several more lined up, was 93% during the period while Kia posted near 100% ICE sales.Clearly, the electric transition remains aspirational for most players, as consumers stay anchored to familiar, affordable technologies and remain reluctant to make the switch."This is the nature of transition-it's gradual, uncertain, and complex," said a senior official of a Delhi-based car company who requested not to be identified. By 2030, however, electric and hybrid vehicles will account for at least 30-40% of the market - a big leap from the current under 10%, he added.Even Tata Motors , the market leader in electric cars, sold 88% ICE vehicles in the first half. A spokesperson said the firm's multi-powertrain strategy spanning petrol, diesel, CNG, and electric is "about giving consumers the power of choice while preparing for future shifts."Only two manufacturers bucked the trend. Toyota, with a diversified approach, saw 55% of sales come from combustion engines, balanced by 29% hybrids and 16% mild hybrids. JSW MG Motor went all-in on electric, targeting urban buyers willing to pay premium prices. As a result, 81% of its sales came from battery electric vehicles (BEVs).The government is playing its part, continuing to offer FAME II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) subsidies and pushing stricter emission norms.Yet, according to Ravi Bhatia, president of Jato Dynamics, price sensitivity and "charging anxiety" among consumers keep EVs largely confined to metro corridors.India's automotive landscape is not just vast, but deeply varied. Urban buyers prioritise convenience, while rural customers focus on affordability and durability. Some regions are seeing growing EV infrastructure, while others still struggle with basic electrification. That's why carmakers aren't putting all their eggs in one basket, Bhatia explained.CNG is gaining popularity in urban and semi-urban areas for its lower running costs. Diesel has lost its popularity but continues to dominate high-mileage segments such as SUVs. Petrol remains the most widely accessible fuel.Meanwhile, EVs are making quiet but steady inroads as infrastructure begins to improve.India's auto market could reach 7.5 million units by 2030, with electric and hybrid vehicles expected to capture a 30-40% share.Tata Motors has committed ₹33,000-35,000 crore toward its passenger and EV businesses from FY26 to FY30 to drive product-led growth, including seven all-new nameplates and 23 model updates across ICE, CNG and electric segments.As BS7 emission norms loom and global supply chains shift toward electrification, manufacturers are carefully balancing immediate consumer demand with long-term regulatory pressures. The question is no longer if the transition will happen, but which companies will survive the journey, industry executives said.
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