Wednesday, February 04, 2026
By Kamal Swami
Electric Car Sales Rise 51% In January 2026, Tata Leads
The impact of growing electric mobility can be seen in India’s electric passenger vehicle (EV) sales. The segment witnessed a strong surge in January 2026, recording a year-on-year growth of 51 percent. According to the latest industry data, the sales for EVs rose to 18,042 units in January 2026, compared to 11,909 units during the same period in 2025. This growth is an indication that the sales of battery-powered cars and SUVs are increasing in the country.
However, despite the impressive growth, the market is still dominated by a few manufacturers. Tata Motors, JSW MG Motor India, and Mahindra & Mahindra collectively sold 16,047 EV units in January. This is almost 90 per cent of the total EV sales for the month. However, the competitive landscape is gradually evolving as new manufacturers enter the segment with aggressive pricing and product positioning.
Tata Motors maintained its leadership position in the electric passenger vehicle segment by selling 7,852 units in January 2026, marking a 48 percent increase from 5,292 units sold in January 2025. At present, the domestic car maker strongly holds a market share of 43.5 percent, indicating that nearly one out of every two EVs sold in India belongs to Tata’s electric portfolio. Tata’s strong performance can be attributed to its multiple product lineup, which includes entry-level models such as the Tiago EV and Punch EV, popular mid-range offerings like the Nexon EV and Curvv EV, and premium upcoming nameplates, including the Harrier EV and Sierra EV.
JSW MG Motor India stood at the second position with 4,606 units sold in January 2026, showing marginal growth compared to 4,527 units sold during the same month last year. MG’s consistent performance is due to the Windsor EV, which has been contributing significantly to the brand’s EV volumes since its launch in September 2024. Along with this, MG’s Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) programme continues to attract customers by allowing buyers to purchase the vehicle while leasing the battery. This reduces upfront ownership costs and addresses concerns related to battery longevity and replacement expenses.
Apart from Tata Motors, another home-grown car maker, Mahindra & Mahindra, emerged as the fastest-growing EV manufacturer during the month, recording an impressive 386 per cent jump in sales. The company sold 3,589 units in January 2026, compared to 739 units in January 2025. Mahindra’s recently launched BE 6 and XEV 9e electric SUVs are attracting prospective buyers. The company’s focus on developing purpose-built EV platforms has resonated well with buyers seeking improved driving range, better charging capabilities, and enhanced cabin practicality.
Among emerging challengers, Vietnamese automaker VinFast made a notable entry by selling 432 units in January 2026, securing the fourth position in the market. The company ruled over established players such as Hyundai, which recorded 326 units, BMW with 312 units, and Kia with 306 units. VinFast’s VF6 and VF7 electric SUVs, priced from Rs 17.29 lakh and Rs 21.89 lakh respectively, are targeting customers looking for premium design and features without entering the luxury car price bracket.
Meanwhile, BYD experienced a 34 percent decline in sales, dropping to 224 units amid softening demand in the premium EV category. Maruti Suzuki registered 210 units of its newly launched e-Vitara, while Tesla recorded 37 vehicle registrations, indicating limited early traction in the Indian market.
In terms of market share, Tata Motors leads with 43.5 percent, followed by MG Motor at 25.5 percent and Mahindra at 19.9 percent. VinFast holds 2.4 per cent, Hyundai accounts for 1.8 per cent, and BMW captures 1.7 percent share of the EV passenger vehicle market. With electric vehicles currently contributing nearly 5 per cent to India’s overall passenger vehicle sales, industry experts believe the next phase of growth will depend on expansion beyond metropolitan areas, where charging infrastructure and customer awareness continue to be key challenges.
