Electric 2-wheelers to have 100 per cent penetration by 2027 - NITI Aayog report

A recent report by public policy think tank NITI Aayog and Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) have forecasted that the Indian market will see 100 per cent penetration of electric two-wheelers by FY2026-27. 

The report co-generated by NITI Aayog and TIFAC is titled as `Forecasting Penetration of Electric Two-Wheelers in India'. 

It gives an insight into the required infrastructure, along with manufacturing capability, technology development, and policies that need to be prioritised to reach the 100 per cent penetration mark.

Talking of the TIFAC, it is an autonomous organisation set up in 1988 to look ahead in the technology domain, assess the technology trajectories, and support innovation.

If an R&D programme manages to enhance the range and power of electric two-wheelers by 5 per cent annually between FY2023-24 and 2025-26, and by 10 per cent in FY 2026-2027, the penetration of electric-two wheelers may reach about 72 per cent in FY 2031-32 even with no extension of the demand-side incentives. 

The sale of electric two-wheelers may cross 220 lakh units by FY2028-29, it said.

Based on the analysis, the report said that India is at a crossroads and a shift to electric mobility, particularly, in the two-wheelers segment, may happen faster than anticipated. 

During the initial stage, due to the low level of electric vehicle penetration, a higher ratio of charging points to electric vehicles will be required to instil confidence in the minds of the customers, the report said.

If there is sufficient installed capacity of electric two-wheelers and charging infrastructure, then the sale may even reach about 250 lakh units.

The future scenarios have been constructed based on three major factors that influence the market penetration of electric two-wheelers. 

They are demand incentives, cost of battery, and vehicle performance in terms of both range and power.