With under 5% of India's EVs, Gujarat ranks 8th

Despite its policy promoting electric vehicles, Gujarat ranks eighth in the country in the number of electric vehicles (EV) registered. 

On August 3, 2023, there were 1,38,410 EVs in the state, which represents 4.88% of the 28,30,565 EVs across the country.

The Union government told Parliament that seven states - Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Bihar have more EVs registered than Gujarat as of August 3, 2023.

Sources in the automobile industry say while there are a number of incentives offered for buying EVs, the lack of charging infrastructure is a major impediment in the state.

Another major drawback is that current EVs can't travel very long distances on a single charge and people who want to travel long distances are wary of buying them.

Dealers say the gross shortage of public charging stations for electric vehicles is bogging down sales.

Hitendra Nanavati, chairman of the Federation of Automobile Dealers' Association (FADA) Gujarat, said acceptance of electric vehicles in the state is increasing.

There is a greater acceptance of electric two-wheelers than four-wheelers in the state because an electric car can only be used for city travel due to the limited range. It is thus mainly used as a second vehicle for families.