New Delhi: Concerns over battery reliability and inadequate charging infrastructure continue to hinder electric vehicle (EV) adoption in India, despite growing consumer interest, according to Bain & Company’s Global Automotive Consumer Survey, ANI reported.
The survey found that 52 per cent of Indian consumers sceptical about battery electric vehicles (BEVs) cited battery reliability as a barrier to purchase. Insufficient charging infrastructure was the second-biggest concern, cited by 44 per cent of respondents, followed by long charging times at 43 per cent.
High vehicle prices were identified as a barrier by 32 per cent of EV sceptics, while 31 per cent expressed concerns about insufficient driving range.
The findings highlight the challenges facing automakers in converting consumer interest into actual purchases. Bain’s report, Global Auto Consumer Survey: Regional Trends in a Changing World – India Insights, noted that charging remains a major challenge, with infrastructure availability and charging time continuing to influence purchase decisions, ANI stated.
Despite these concerns, 57 per cent of Indian consumers said they were open to purchasing a BEV. Generation Y recorded the highest purchase intent at 61 per cent. However, Bain cautioned that stated purchase consideration does not necessarily translate into actual sales.
Access to home charging facilities also emerged as an important factor in EV ownership. Around 71 per cent of existing BEV owners in India reported charging their vehicles at home often or always.
In its accompanying press release, Bain said closing the price gap between electric and conventional vehicles and making charging more convenient would be critical to encouraging wider adoption.
The survey also found that first-hand experience with electric vehicles increased consumers’ willingness to consider purchasing one. In India, 82 per cent of respondents who had test-driven a BEV said they would consider buying one, compared with 66 per cent of those who had not taken a test drive.
Bain noted that converting this interest into purchases remained a key task for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and dealers.
The findings suggest that improving battery reliability, expanding charging infrastructure, reducing charging times and addressing affordability concerns will be crucial to accelerating India’s transition to electric mobility.
The survey was conducted online in the first quarter of 2026 among more than 12,000 automotive consumers across 11 markets, including India, China, the United States and several European countries, according to ANI.
