Tata Motors expects its electric vehicle (EV) supply to catch up with demand over the next two to three months as component manufacturers expand production capacity, reported Autocar Professional, citing Managing Director and CEO Shailesh Chandra.
Speaking at the Autocar Professional EV Conclave 2026 in New Delhi, Chandra said the company’s EV bookings had tripled since February, driven by new launches and concerns over fuel prices and availability amid the Middle East crisis.
The sudden surge in demand had exceeded industry expectations, as automakers and suppliers had planned production based on market forecasts made 18–24 months earlier. While vehicle manufacturers can adjust some production capacity between internal combustion engine and electric models, expanding supplies of battery cells, power electronics and other critical components takes longer.
Tata Motors dispatched 47,150 electric passenger vehicles during July–September 2026, accounting for around 24% of its total passenger vehicle volumes in the quarter. Its EV dispatches reached 108,548 units in the first nine months of 2026.
Chandra said underlying EV demand had crossed 10% of the passenger vehicle market, citing lower dealer inventory for electric cars compared with conventional vehicles. According to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), EVs accounted for 8.45% of passenger vehicle retail sales in September, up from 5.74% a year earlier.
He identified charging infrastructure and vehicle affordability as key factors in taking EV penetration towards 15–20%. India had 52,718 public EV charging stations as of July 2026, including 16,561 fast chargers for cars, according to the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
On localisation, Chandra said India could substantially reduce its dependence on imported EV components over the next two to three years. While several battery-pack components and power electronics are already locally sourced, battery cells and critical materials remain areas of import dependence. He expects domestic cell manufacturing to begin within a year, followed by deeper localisation of cathode and anode materials.
Chandra also highlighted opportunities for Indian automakers in overseas markets, particularly in the affordable electric car segment. However, he said Tata Motors would prioritise meeting domestic demand before accelerating its international expansion.
