India EV penetration may cross 10% by year-end, says JSW MG Motor executive

India's electric vehicle penetration could cross 10% by the end of this year, a JSW MG Motor executive said on Tuesday, pointing to faster adoption of battery-powered cars in the world's third-largest auto market.

The executive did not give a specific sales figure but said the share of EVs in total passenger vehicle sales is rising steadily. The comment was reported by The Economic Times.

EV penetration in India has climbed from low single digits in recent years, helped by new models, state subsidies and a wider charging network. The government's push for cleaner transport has also drawn investment from automakers.

JSW MG Motor, a joint venture between India's JSW Group and China's SAIC Motor, sells models such as the MG Windsor EV and MG Comet EV. The company has been expanding its electric lineup and localising production.

Still, the road to 10% is not smooth. High upfront costs, limited charging infrastructure in smaller cities and range anxiety keep many buyers away. Electric cars also remain a small slice of overall sales, though the pace of growth has picked up.

Other automakers are watching the numbers closely. Tata Motors leads the electric passenger vehicle segment, while Mahindra & Mahindra and Hyundai have announced new EV plans. Competition is expected to intensify as more models hit showrooms.

If the 10% mark is crossed, it would be a symbolic milestone for India's energy transition. But whether it happens by December depends on supply chains, battery prices and consumer demand in the coming months.

The executive's projection comes as the festive season, which typically boosts vehicle sales, gets underway. Automakers often ramp up production and offer discounts during this period.

For now, the industry will track monthly registration data to see if the forecast holds. A single quarter of strong sales won't confirm a trend, but it would give EV backers something to cheer about.