World EV Day 2026: What India’s EV Entrepreneurs Are Saying

As India marks World EV Day 2026 on 9 September, we asked founders and leaders building the country’s electric mobility ecosystem — across two-wheelers, charging, batteries, fleets, and finance — to share their perspective on where the industry stands and what comes next. This year’s global theme, “Switching Electric: driving down the cost of motoring,” puts affordability and mainstream adoption at the centre of the conversation. Here’s what India’s EV entrepreneurs had to say.

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“India’s EV journey is entering a new phase, the conversation is shifting from adoption to mainstream acceptance. With EV registrations crossing 25 lakh in FY2025-26, the momentum is clear, with electric two-wheelers emerging as one of the strongest drivers of this transition.

The next opportunity lies in electric motorcycles. Two-wheelers are at the heart of everyday mobility in India, and as consumers increasingly look at EVs not as an alternative but as their primary mode of transport, electric motorcycles can play a defining role in taking electrification deeper into the mass market.

For this shift to scale, the industry must continue to focus on accessible pricing, dependable products, convenient charging, strong after-sales support and a robust domestic EV ecosystem. Continued policy support, alongside investments in technology and manufacturing, will further strengthen this transition.

World EV Day is a reminder that the future of mobility is not just about making vehicles electric; it is about making electric mobility practical, aspirational and accessible to millions of Indians. The next chapter of India’s EV story will be about making that transition truly mainstream.”

— Madhumita Agrawal, Founder & CEO, Oben Electric

“World EV Day is a reminder that India’s EV transition will not be defined by a single segment or a handful of metro markets. Much of the next wave of adoption is being driven by Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where electric two-wheelers address everyday mobility needs in a practical, accessible, and affordable way. In these markets, the low-speed EV segment plays a vital role.

Our journey has shown us that sustainable adoption happens when technology directly aligns with ground realities — from daily commute efficiency and low running costs to operational simplicity and dependable local service. The real opportunity lies in deepening our presence across smaller towns, turning growing consumer curiosity into long-term trust.

At Zelio E-Mobility, we remain committed to engineering relevant, high-value mobility solutions that take electric two-wheelers from an emerging alternative to a mainstream choice across India.”

— Divyanshu Agarwal, CEO, Zelio E-Mobility

“World EV Day is a good time to look at electrification as more than a shift from one type of vehicle to another. It is also about building the energy infrastructure needed to make electric mobility work reliably in everyday life. An electric vehicle can only be as practical as the system that supports it, which makes reliable charging, efficient power use and adequate energy infrastructure increasingly important.

For India, the next phase of EV adoption will require us to think about generation, charging, storage and consumption as parts of the same equation. The conversation also needs to move beyond how many EVs are being sold to whether the infrastructure around them can keep pace with everyday demand.

If we get that right, particularly by making better use of renewable energy and managing demand more efficiently, electric mobility can become more than a cleaner way to travel. It can also help us build a smarter and more resilient energy system.”

— Arun Bhardwaj, Managing Director, Smarten Power Systems

Building something in India’s EV ecosystem? Startup Success Stories features founders across mobility, charging, batteries, and fleet tech. Share your World EV Day perspective or [submit your startup story for a feature.

Last updated: 8 September 2026