Experts say EV makers from that country have not only widened consumer choice, but also helped accelerate India’s adoption of cutting-edge battery tech, premium features and faster product life cycles.China is swiftly emerging as a strong contender in India’s growing electric passenger vehicle market, currently dominated by homegrown companies Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra.
In less than two years, the likes of BYD, British origin but China-owned MG and Volvo, of Swedish heritage and China ownership, have overtaken South Korean and German rivals to claim nearly a third of the Indian electric vehicle (EV) market. These brands have struck a chord with buyers looking for better technology, range and reliability.
More Chinese EV makers such as Xpeng, Great Wall and Haima are now exploring the neighbourhood market. Their plans could get a boost, with the recent warming of ties between New Delhi and Beijing after about five years.
Experts say EV makers from that country have not only widened consumer choice, but also helped accelerate India’s adoption of cutting-edge battery tech, premium features and faster product life cycles.
MG Motor was the first to find its footing. As an early mover, it quickly became the biggest contributor among the Chinese-backed automakers, offering mass market EVs competitively packed with features. “Our growth momentum in India is driven by exceptional customer-centric innovations and a deep understanding of local market needs,” said Vinay Raina, chief commercial officer at JSW MG Motor India, a joint venture between India’s JSW Group and China’s SAIC Motor.
Localisation, Raina emphasised, plays a critical role in staying competitive.
Local-Global Gains
Blending global expertise with local adaptation has allowed these firms to bring new models to India faster than many domestic ones. BYD, one of the world’s largest EV makers, soon followed, expanding steadily amid strong commercial and fleet demand.
Meanwhile, Volvo Cars, Swedish in heritage but owned by China’s Geely, carved out a steady premium presence. Volvo’s volumes remain comparatively smaller, but they reflect a growing luxury EV segment. “Our growth in India is driven by a strong and loyal customer base and our accelerated focus on electrification,” said Jyoti Malhotra, MD of Volvo Car India. The company, an early mover in luxury electric mobility, has committed to launching one new EV every year.
The coexistence of strong domestic and global brands has transformed India into a highly evolved EV market, particularly in the premium segment.
Volvo, for instance, conducts regular customer clinics to fine-tune features, pricing, and expectations. “All the models that we sell in India are now assembled locally,” said Malhotra.
Still Leading
In 2019, Chinese brands did not account for a single battery electric vehicle (BEV) sale in India. By October this year, they contributed 57,260 vehicles, claiming 33% of the market by volume, according to Jato Dynamics.
Yet, despite this surge, Indian-owned companies remain the backbone of the country’s EV growth. Their BEV sales climbed to 101,724 this calendar year till October, from 74,442 units in 2024. “Localisation, affordability, wider geographic reach and strong alignment with policies like FAME-II and PLI have worked,” said Ravi Bhatia, president of Jato Dynamics.
