From guaranteed buybacks and battery subscriptions to exchange schemes and dense charging networks, incumbents and new entrants are combining services to make EV ownership a more predictable and risk-free option.
Vietnamese electric car maker VinFast plans to attract first-time EV buyers in India through an exchange program for petrol, diesel and CNG vehicles.
toyota Kirloskar Motors’ debut EV, the Urban Cruiser Evera, has guaranteed resale value. battery as a service Options, mirroring maruti suzukiThe next model of e-Vitara. Both SUVs are based on the same platform.
Purchase and battery subscription plans are offered as plans to make EV ownership risk-free.
early electric cars etc. tata motorsMG, and Mahindra have enhanced charging infrastructure and offer lifetime warranties.
S&P Global Mobility sees 2026 as a tipping point, with electric vehicle penetration increasing from 4% in 2025 to 7% on the back of launches and customer initiatives.
This change comes as the adoption of electrical equipment accelerates, albeit on a relatively small base. According to the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA), electric vehicle sales in India will increase by 77% to 176,817 units by calendar year 2025, with the penetration rate increasing to about 4% from 2.5% the previous year.
Industry executives say the next phase of growth for India’s electric vehicle market will depend less on expanding its model lineup and more on addressing long-term ownership risks.
Companies are brainstorming these problems to find workable solutions.
“People talk about range anxiety, but service anxiety and resale anxiety are just as big,” Tadashi Asazuma, deputy managing director at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, told ET. “If you don’t have a complete ecosystem, customers will be hesitant.”
Toyota’s EV approach, centered around home charging support, high-voltage service provision, guaranteed buyback programs and flexible financing, signals a broader recalibration as the manufacturer prioritizes predictability over novelty.
VinFast’s exchange program for gasoline, diesel and CNG vehicles is designed to lower the psychological barrier for first-time EV buyers. CEO Tapan Ghosh said, “EV sales will definitely increase.” vinfast india. “As more products exist and the ecosystem is in place, there will definitely be an inflection point and volumes will increase rapidly.” Currently, the company is prioritizing network expansion, charging partnerships, and service policies over short-term volume goals.
Mahindra, one of India’s early large-scale EV manufacturers, takes a similar view. “Our EV drive is now as focused on confidence building as it is on product expansion, with a focus on battery durability, service readiness and total cost of ownership,” Automotive CEO Nalinikant Golagunta said.
Tata Motors, the country’s largest EV maker, is also leaning towards this change. “Addressing ownership concerns, particularly around battery life, service costs and residual value, will be central to driving the next wave of EV growth,” said Anand Kulkarni, chief product officer. Tata Motors passenger cars and passenger electric mobility. Tata’s move to extend battery life warranties across models such as Nexon.ev, Curvv.ev and Harrier.ev is aimed at removing uncertainty regarding long-term battery health and replacement costs.
India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki, which is preparing to introduce the e-Vitara, is also investing heavily in charging infrastructure and is evaluating flexible ownership models such as battery subscriptions to reduce upfront costs.
India’s electric vehicle market is approaching a critical transition period, said Puneet Gupta, director at S&P Global Mobility. “By 2026, all major automakers are expected to sell electric vehicles in India, which will lead to a significant increase in sales,” he said. Mr. Gupta added that manufacturers are increasingly differentiating their EV products by directly addressing concerns about battery durability, resale value, insurance premiums, warranty and service costs, charging access and price.
As the market matures, the next stage of India’s EV journey will not be determined by how many models are launched, but how effectively companies can make electric mobility feel like a routine rather than a risk to consumers, industry watchers say.