EV adoption in India: barriers and policy solutions from manufacturers' and consumers' perspectives

Abstract

To decarbonize the transport sector and achieve net-zero targets, electric vehicles (EVs) are being promoted as future transportation preferences. However, despite technological advancements, the adoption of EVs has not yet gained momentum. This study aims to identify and hierarchize the prominent barriers from the manufacturers' as well as the consumers' perspectives. To identify the prominent barriers, comprehensive literature surveys are performed from the Web of Science and Scopus databases for articles published in scholarly journals during the years 2014 to 2024. The barriers are hierarchized using the analytical hierarchy process based on the surveys conducted among consumers and manufacturers. Next, the policies for promoting EVs are surveyed and their effectiveness in India is evaluated through a survey of experts. A total of 507 responses have been received across the three surveys. The results show that charging infrastructure availability and cost concerns (resale anxiety and high upfront vehicle cost) are the major barriers to EV adoption. The findings identify subsidies for charging points, along with the establishment of battery and charging standards, and battery swapping services, as the most effective policies for mitigating the barrier of charging infrastructure availability. The findings hold promise for positively influencing SDGs 7, 9, and 11 and have significant implications for EV manufacturers, policymakers, and other stakeholders.