EV Owners in India Hit Reverse: Over 50% Want Petrol/Diesel Cars Back

India’s electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing rapid growth, with sales surging to nearly 91,000 units in the last financial year, according to FADA. However, a recent survey conducted by Park+ among 500 EV owners in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, and Bangalore has shed light on the significant challenges hindering widespread EV adoption.

While range anxiety has often been cited as a major obstacle, the Park+ survey reveals a more pressing issue: charging anxiety. A staggering 88% of respondents identified difficulty in accessing charging stations as their primary concern, significantly overshadowing range-related worries. This has led many EV owners to restrict their travel to short distances, limiting the vehicle’s full potential.

Maintenance woes have also emerged as a major pain point. A significant 73% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of clarity around maintenance costs. With limited expertise among local mechanics, EV owners often face difficulties in getting their vehicles repaired and are unable to obtain second opinions on repair estimates. Adding to the concerns, 33% of respondents cited a significant drop in resale value as a deterrent. Unlike ICE vehicles, the absence of standardized battery evaluation tests makes it challenging to accurately assess an EV’s worth, further impacting buyer confidence.

Despite the growing popularity of EVs, owner satisfaction lags behind that of ICE vehicle owners, primarily due to the aforementioned challenges. In fact, a surprising 51% of survey participants expressed a preference for returning to traditional petrol or diesel vehicles for their next purchase.

When it comes to popular EV models, the Tata Nexon EV reigns supreme, capturing the preference of 61% of respondents. The Tata Punch EV follows closely with 19% of the market share. While BYD has gained attention, its higher price point and limited test drive availability have been identified as barriers to wider adoption.

The Park+ survey underscores the urgent need for addressing charging infrastructure, improving maintenance services, and establishing clear guidelines for battery evaluation to accelerate the EV transition in India. As the market matures, overcoming these challenges will be crucial to boosting consumer confidence and driving wider adoption of electric vehicles.