India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI), Purpose & Key Highlights of IEMI 2024

The India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) is a key tool by NITI Aayog that scores how well Indian states are adopting electric vehicles and building EV infrastructure. Tracking EV sales, charging stations, and policies, it highlights India’s fast growth in electric mobility. Supported by schemes like FAME-II and the new Electric Vehicle Policy 2025, India aims for 30% EV sales by 2030. The IEMI guides policymakers and investors, making it vital for the country’s clean transport future.

The topic "India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) and Electric Vehicles" primarily belongs to General Studies Paper 3 (GS Paper 3) of the UPSC syllabus. It covers themes related to Science and Technology, Infrastructure, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Energy, and Economic Development, making it relevant for topics on sustainable development, technology adoption, and Indian economy.

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What is the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI)?

The India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) is a comprehensive tool developed by NITI Aayog to assess how Indian States and Union Territories are moving towards the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). The index uses a score out of 100, considering 16 different indicators grouped under three main themes: the progress of electric vehicle adoption, readiness of charging infrastructure, and local advances in EV research and innovation. This makes the IEMI - 1000 a transparent way to track and encourage India’s electric mobility journey, supporting both national policies and state-level actions.

What is the purpose of IEMI?

The main purpose of the India Electric Mobility Index is to:

• Benchmark Progress: Help states and UTs measure and compare their efforts in electric vehicle adoption.
• Guide Policy: Allow governments to identify strengths, address weaknesses, and replicate best practices.
• Promote Competition: Encourage healthy rivalry among states for faster adoption, innovation, and investment.
• Support Investment: Clear data through the electric vehicle index boosts confidence for private investors, industry, and government efforts.

• Delhi Leads the Pack: Delhi ranks highest, with a remarkable IEMI score of 73.19. It has achieved an EV penetration of 11.7% in new vehicle sales in 2024—the best among all states. This is largely due to strong local policies and an efficient electric vehicle policy in India that supports both commuters and public transport.
• Maharashtra and Chandigarh: Maharashtra follows with a score of 64.27 and leads in public EV bus numbers, where 14% of its buses are now electric. Chandigarh, with a score of 63.76, has introduced special incentives for women buying electric two-wheelers, ensuring inclusivity and broader adoption.
• State Efforts: Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Karnataka are making rapid strides in building charging infrastructure. Tamil Nadu stands out as an EV innovation hub.
• Charging Facilities: Public charging points have grown rapidly, with over 25,800 operating nationwide as of mid-2024, helping reduce range anxiety and making EVs more accessible.
• Statistical Picture: India now boasts over 1.2 million registered EVs, up from just 0.23% EV penetration in 2016 to 7.6% in 2024. This aligns with the global rise, where the EV penetration has surged from 3.08% to 16.48%. Of these Indian EVs, around 8.5 lakh are two-wheelers and 3.2 lakh are cars.

Read the article on the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020!

Why is this Electric Vehicle Index Important for India?

The IEMI index holds the following significance for India:

• Climate Action: Transportation contributes a big share of India’s carbon emissions. A robust electric vehicle policy in India, guided by the index, supports cleaner air and helps fight climate change.
• Reduced Oil Imports: More EVs mean less reliance on imported fuel, making the economy stronger.
• Easier Decision-Making: Enables businesses and the public to see which states are EV-friendly.
• Focus for Development: The index directs resources and attention where they’re needed most.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining steady momentum in India, marking a shift towards cleaner and more sustainable transportation. The growth is driven by strong government policies, incentives, and an increased focus on reducing carbon emissions and dependence on imported fuels.

• Strong Sales Growth: In FY 2024-25, India sold over 2.04 million EVs—a growth of nearly 16% year-on-year. By July 2025, the total number of registered electric vehicles in India surpassed 6.44 million.
• Market Share: EVs accounted for about 8% of all vehicle sales in Q2 2025. Electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws) made up nearly 56% of these sales, followed by electric three-wheelers at 36%, and electric four-wheelers (cars and SUVs) at 7%.
• Penetration by Segment (FY 2025)
  • Two-wheelers: 6.2% of total two-wheeler sales
  • Three-wheelers: Over 20% of total segment sales
  • Passenger vehicles: Electric cars hit a 4.1% market share in May 2025, with monthly sales crossing 12,000 units
  • Buses: 4.7% electric penetration, though still a small base
• Top States: Maharashtra is the leading state for electric cars and SUVs with a 17% market share in early 2025. Cities like Delhi and Bangalore are also witnessing strong growth and expanding charging infrastructure.

Read the article on the New Electric Vehicle Policy 2025!

Government Initiatives related to Electric Vehicles

Some of the major initiatives by the Indian government in relation to electric vehicles include:

• New Electric Vehicle Policy 2025: Introduces a reduced 15% import duty for select new EVs, provided companies invest ₹4,150 crore to set up local manufacturing plants. The policy hopes to achieve 15% EVs for four-wheelers and 40% for two-wheelers by 2030.
• FAME-II Scheme: Offers direct financial incentives for buying EVs, supporting manufacturing and charging infrastructure.
• State Initiatives: 29 states have their own electric vehicle policies, each offering benefits such as road tax waivers, subsidies, and support for charging stations.
• Local Partnerships: Many state governments collaborate with companies to bring better technology and services to their cities and towns.

Some of the key issues faced include:

• Financing Gaps: Electric buses and heavy vehicles need greater financial support, as upfront costs can be high.
• Charging Infrastructure: While growing, public charging points are still not enough for rural and remote areas.
• Awareness and Trust: Some people still lack information or have concerns about EV safety, battery life, and cost.
• Manufacturing Hurdles: Moving global EV makers to invest and produce locally requires policy stability and clear rules.
• Data and Research: More reliable data and local research centers are needed to keep pace with global trends.

Way Forward

• Set Clear Targets: Implement Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) sales requirements to keep all states focused.
• Awareness Drives: Launch campaigns to inform people about EV benefits, using simple language and relatable stories.
• City Focus: Concentrate on ‘saturating’ top cities with EVs and charging infrastructure, then expand to 100 more cities.
• Innovative Funding: Create pooled funds for e-buses and battery leasing models to reduce the burden on single agencies.
• Continuous Updation: States should update their electric vehicle policy India regularly, using feedback from the IEMI and public experience.

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