JSW MG Motor India projects new energy vehicles, including hybrids and EVs, will constitute 25-30% of India’s automotive market by 2030, significantly exceeding government projections, according to MD Anurag Mehrotra at the India EV Conclave 2025.
Mehrotra emphasized that electric vehicle adoption is rapidly expanding beyond metropolitan areas, transforming into a nationwide phenomenon rather than remaining confined to tier-1 cities as initially anticipated.
“I am far more optimistic than government projections. EVs are going far beyond tier-1 phenomenon,” Mehrotra stated, indicating that MG Motor’s on-ground experience and data suggest faster adoption rates than official forecasts.
The Indian government has set a target for EVs to comprise 30% of vehicle sales by FY 2030. However, penetration in PVs has trailed those in cheaper segments such as two-wheelers and three-wheelers. Mehrotra’s projection of 25-30% for new energy vehicles (which includes both pure EVs and hybrids) aligns closely with government targets while suggesting the pathway may include multiple powertrain technologies.
Beyond Metro Cities
Mehrotra highlighted a crucial market development: EV penetration extending into tier-2 and tier-3 cities. “EV penetration going beyond tier-1 phenomenon,” he stated, suggesting that infrastructure development and changing consumer preferences are enabling adoption in smaller cities and towns.
This geographical expansion is critical for achieving mass-market scale in India, where tier-2 and tier-3 cities represent substantial untapped demand. The spread beyond metropolitan areas also indicates that charging infrastructure and service networks are gradually reaching deeper into the country.
Revealing interesting consumer behavior patterns, Mehrotra disclosed that MG’s EV customers drive approximately twice as much as their ICE vehicle customers. “Our EV customers are driving 2x more than our ICE customers,” he stated, suggesting higher satisfaction and confidence levels among electric vehicle owners.
This usage pattern indicates that concerns about range anxiety and charging availability may be less significant than commonly perceived, at least among early adopters. The higher utilization rates also suggest better economics for EV owners on a per-kilometer basis.
“Between ICE and EV, the customers using EVs are driving more than the former,” Mehrotra added, reinforcing the observation that electric vehicles are becoming primary vehicles rather than being relegated to short-distance or secondary vehicle status.
Mehrotra noted that EV adoption remains higher in the premium segment compared to the mass market in India, explaining the company’s strategy of initially introducing premium electric vehicles. “EV adoption is higher in the premium segment than the mass market in India. That was the reason for bringing in premium EVs,” he stated.
JSW MG Motor India achieved a 36% market share in the electric passenger vehicle segment in November 2024, up from just 13% in November 2023, driven largely by the success of the MG Windsor EV. The company’s innovative Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model has been instrumental in this growth, reducing upfront costs and addressing buyer concerns about battery longevity.
Industry Collaboration Required
Mehrotra called for coordinated industry action to accelerate EV adoption, stating, “Industry needs to come together under the aegis of SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) to create awareness about EVs.”
This appeal for collective action suggests recognition that EV market development requires industry-wide efforts rather than individual company initiatives alone. Collaborative awareness campaigns could address persistent misconceptions about electric vehicles and educate consumers about their benefits and practical considerations.
The call for SIAM involvement indicates a desire for standardized messaging and coordinated educational initiatives that can reach broader audiences more effectively than fragmented company-specific campaigns.
For the company, the MG Windsor EV, launched in September 2024, has been particularly successful in India. The company’s BaaS program, which separates battery ownership from the vehicle purchase, has proven attractive to cost-conscious Indian buyers by reducing the upfront investment required.
Mehrotra’s optimistic projections about market penetration and geographical expansion reflect MG Motor’s aggressive growth strategy and its success in gaining market share through innovative business models and competitive pricing. The company’s experience suggests that with the right product positioning and financial models, EV adoption can accelerate beyond initial forecasts.
The broader implication of Mehrotra’s statements is that India’s EV transition may proceed faster than conservative estimates suggest, particularly if infrastructure development keeps pace with demand and if innovative business models like BaaS gain wider acceptance across the industry.