Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
India’s electric mobility journey achieved a significant milestone in May 2026, with electric vehicles accounting for more than 11 per cent of all vehicle retail sales for the first time ever. According to the latest data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), total EV retail sales stood at 2,71,682 units during the month, marking a robust 45 per cent year-on-year growth and highlighting the rapid pace at which consumers are embracing cleaner mobility solutions.
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Commenting on the development, FADA President C S Vigneshwar said the achievement represents an important step towards the country’s broader electrification goals and aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of accelerating electric mobility adoption across India.
The industry’s strong performance was driven by multiple factors, including rising fuel prices, increasing consumer awareness and a growing range of electric vehicle options across segments. According to FADA, the recent increase in fuel costs has sharpened buyers’ focus on running costs, making the lower cost of ownership offered by EVs an increasingly compelling proposition.
Electric two-wheelers continued to dominate EV volumes, registering sales of 1,70,733 units, up 63 percent year-on-year. Meanwhile, electric three-wheelers retained their position as the most electrified vehicle category, with nearly two-thirds of all three-wheelers sold in India now powered by electricity.
Electric passenger vehicles shine
| Rank | OEM | May’26 | Apr’26 | May’25 | MoM | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd | 10,340 | 9,302 | 5,083 | 11.16% | 103.42% |
| 2 | Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd | 6,210 | 5,822 | 2,891 | 6.66% | 114.80% |
| 3 | JSW MG Motor India Pvt Ltd | 4,984 | 5,420 | 4,599 | -8.04% | 8.37% |
| 4 | Maruti Suzuki India Ltd | 1,591 | 1,331 | — | 19.53% | 0.00% |
| 5 | VinFast Auto India Pvt Ltd | 1,238 | 1,291 | — | -4.11% | 0.00% |
Among all segments, electric passenger vehicles delivered one of the strongest performances during May. Retail sales surged 81.2 percent year-on-year to 26,682 units, compared to 14,725 units in May 2025. EV penetration in the passenger vehicle segment also improved significantly, rising to 6.6 percent from 4.5 percent a year earlier.
The growth reflects increasing consumer confidence in electric cars, supported by a wider range of products across price points and body styles. Buyers today have access to everything from affordable city-focused EVs to premium electric SUVs and luxury offerings, helping expand the addressable market.
Tata Motors retained its leadership position in the electric passenger vehicle segment with retail sales of 10,340 units in May, registering a strong 103 percent year-on-year increase. Mahindra & Mahindra continued its rapid ascent in the EV space, posting sales of 6,210 units and recording 115 percent annual growth.
JSW MG Motor India remained the third-largest player with 4,984 units, while Maruti Suzuki’s newly launched electric offerings helped it register 1,591 units during the month. VinFast also crossed the 1,000-unit mark with 1,238 retail sales, indicating growing acceptance of new entrants in the market.
BYD recorded sales of 686 units, up 10 percent year-on-year, while luxury manufacturers such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz continued to witness healthy growth as premium EV adoption gained momentum.
On a month-on-month basis, electric passenger vehicle retail sales increased 2 percent from April’s 26,160 units, indicating that demand remains resilient despite a high base and intensifying competition.
With penetration levels steadily rising and multiple new launches expected over the coming months, the electric passenger vehicle segment appears poised to play an increasingly important role in India’s transition towards sustainable mobility.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
