Chennai: India’s battery electric vehicle (EV) market continued its growth momentum in May 2026, with registrations rising both month-on-month and year-on-year as consumers increasingly turned to electric mobility amid higher fuel prices and ongoing concerns over energy costs.
According to Vahan data, total battery electric vehicle registrations across all segments reached 2.64 lakh units in May, up from 2.51 lakh units in April and 1.96 lakh units in May 2025, The Times of India reported.
The growth was led by electric two-wheelers (e2Ws), which remain the largest segment of India’s EV market. Registrations of electric scooters and motorcycles increased to 1.66 lakh units in May, compared with 1.57 lakh units in April and 1.05 lakh units a year earlier. The segment accounted for nearly 63 per cent of all EV registrations during the month.
The strong performance follows an unusually resilient April, which defied the typical slowdown that often follows the year-end sales surge in March, indicating sustained consumer demand for electric vehicles.
Poonam Upadhyay, Director at Crisil Ratings, attributed the growth in electric two-wheelers to a combination of factors, including concerns over fuel availability linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict, lower operating costs compared with petrol-powered vehicles and continued uncertainty surrounding fuel prices.
The segment is now approaching a significant milestone, with electric two-wheeler penetration expected to move into double-digit territory in the coming months. After reaching a record 9.8 per cent share of overall two-wheeler sales in March and easing to 8 per cent in April, penetration recovered to around 9 per cent in May.
Upadhyay noted that established manufacturers are steadily strengthening their position in the market, supported by wider sales and service networks that have helped ease concerns about after-sales support among buyers.
Electric three-wheelers also recorded solid growth during the month. Registrations rose to 70,150 units in May, making it the second-highest monthly total of the year and exceeding the average monthly volume of around 65,236 units recorded during the previous three months.
In contrast, the electric passenger vehicle segment, which includes electric cars and utility vehicles, saw a slight month-on-month decline. Registrations stood at approximately 25,460 units in May, compared with 25,921 units in April.The latest figures highlight the continued expansion of India’s EV market, with electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers driving adoption as consumers increasingly seek alternatives to conventional fuel-powered vehicles amid evolving energy and fuel-price dynamics.
