New Delhi: India’s electric vehicle (EV) retail sales rose 74% year-on-year to a record 3,33,634 units in September 2026, according to data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) on Wednesday, ETV Bharat reported.
EV penetration across vehicle categories also increased to around 13% during the month, compared with about 10% in September 2025.
The growth was led by strong demand for electric two-wheelers and passenger vehicles, with both segments registering their highest-ever monthly retail sales.
The increase in EV purchases comes amid growing concerns over ethanol-blended fuel and higher fuel prices, which are encouraging consumers to consider electric vehicles.
Overall, the Indian automobile retail market also recorded its strongest September performance. Total vehicle retail sales stood at 25,36,920 units, marking a 31.82% increase from a year earlier and a 4.69% rise from August 2026, FADA president Sai Giridhar said.
Among major vehicle categories, two-wheeler sales increased 33.08% year-on-year, followed by passenger vehicles at 32.10%, commercial vehicles at 37.62%, three-wheelers at 22.25% and tractors at 13.75%.
“September’26 was the best-ever September in Indian Auto Retail, with the industry registering 25,36,920 units, up 31.82% YoY and 4.69% MoM,” Giridhar said.
He attributed the growing acceptance of EVs to festive-season demand, improved running-cost economics, a wider range of models and continued policy support.
“Festive demand, maturing running-cost economics, a widening choice of models and sustained policy support through PM E-DRIVE and progressive state schemes are together turning the EV from an alternative into a default consideration for a growing set of buyers,” Giridhar added.
