ICCT: India’s Focus on Two- and Three-Wheeler Electrification Proves Global Game-Changer

The Driving Progress on the Zero-Emission Vehicle Transition report, released at the COP30 Progress Update in Belém, Brazil, revealed that India has not only become the undisputed global leader in the electric three-wheeler market, but its rapidly advancing policy initiatives have also made the country the most influential player in the global electric vehicle (EV) sector.

According to the report, 57% of all electric three-wheelers sold worldwide in 2024 were purchased in India alone. India's global share in the electric two-wheeler market was recorded at 6%. The report, prepared by the Accelerating to Zero Coalition and released in collaboration with the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), states that policies promoting clean and pollution-free transportation have made India the second-largest electric vehicle market. Schemes like FAME and PM e-Drive have narrowed the price gap between electric and conventional vehicles, leading to a rapid increase in private investment in last-mile mobility.

According to Amit Bhatt, Managing Director of ICCT India, two-wheelers and three-wheelers account for the largest share of motor vehicles sold in the country, constituting approximately 80% of total sales. Therefore, focusing on electric vehicle purchases among these segments has been the right strategy for India, and its results are now visible globally. India has now moved to the next stage. Under the PM e-Drive initiative, the government is commencing work on the electric conversion of medium and heavy-duty trucks.

According to the report, India's future plans focus on rapidly expanding the electric vehicle market. The strategy's primary focus is to promote the widespread adoption of two- and three-wheeler EVs, provide a conducive environment for companies, and strengthen charging infrastructure. Under the PM e-Drive scheme, 2.5 million electric two-wheelers and 32 million e-three-wheeler sales will be promoted, with a subsidy of $315 million.

The report concludes that India's leadership is no longer a statistic, but a sign of a transportation revolution. The world's number one market for electric three-wheelers, a rapidly emerging electric two-wheeler market, strong policies, private investment, and a technology-driven ecosystem all indicate that India will play a leading role in the zero-emission transportation movement in the coming years.