It can be termed a Kerala story in India’s green mobility transition, giving not just a tough fight but even surpassing more industrialised states. Among the top 10 states with electric vehicle (EV) sales, it leads in terms of personal EV adoption and has the highest share of private four-wheelers.
The penetration of EVs versus traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is also among the highest in Kerala, standing second only to Delhi in 2025.
According to data shared by Envirocatalysts, the penetration of EVs (EV-to-ICE ratio) in the top states with the highest EV sales includes Delhi at 13.91 per cent, Kerala at 12.08 per cent, Karnataka at 10.64 per cent, Uttar Pradesh at 9.89 per cent, and Madhya Pradesh at 8.23 per cent. More importantly, the current rise is from a penetration of barely 5 per cent in 2022, driven by policy measures and improved infrastructure.
“The most important factor that makes Kerala a special market is the fact that the share of personal vehicles in the total EV basket is 93.4 per cent, indicating that the adoption is happening in two-wheelers and four-wheelers,” said Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst, Envirocatalysts.
“Though other states such as Karnataka have a similar 93.4 per cent share of EVs as personal vehicles, around 84 per cent of them are two-wheelers versus 9 per cent four-wheelers. On the other hand, the share of two-wheelers is only 76 per cent in Kerala, versus 18 per cent four-wheelers, indicating a larger adoption of EVs among the middle class,” Dahiya said.
Though Chandigarh and Goa have a higher share of private vehicles in the total EV pie of those states at 61 per cent and 99 per cent, respectively, sales and penetration in those regions are much lower and they are not among the top states.
According to industry experts, the higher penetration is driven by greater awareness among customers. “The major reason is awareness, as several brands are doing really well in the state. People also see EVs and premium products as a status symbol. In addition, charging infrastructure is also widely spread,” said Anirudh Ravi Narayanan, chief executive officer of electric two-wheeler company BNC Motors.
Experts also cite the higher share of the non-resident Indian population, high per capita income, government sops, and adaptability to new brands as reasons for the improved interest in Kerala.
According to data from the Ministry of Heavy Industries, the state has 1,389 charging stations, with 553 fast chargers and 836 slow chargers driven by private players and the Kerala State Electricity Board. India’s EV market continued its expansion in 2025, with total EV sales touching 2.3 million units and accounting for 8 per cent of all new vehicle registrations. Kerala was among the first states to roll out an EV policy, back in 2019.
 "Kerala charges ahead of bigger states in 2025 personal EV adoption")
