By Fast-Tracking India’s EV Adoption Through Railways
India’s journey toward widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption is closely tied to the development of its railway system. However, this isn’t about the nostalgic charm of train travel that has inspired writers and Bollywood for decades—it’s about creating an efficient, high-speed rail network.
At first glance, linking EVs with rail transport might seem unusual, but this relationship has largely gone unexplored. That is now changing. A recent study analyzing 328 cities in China suggests a potential connection between the two.
The research spans from 2010 to 2023—a crucial period during which China saw rapid EV adoption, now at 48% (including hybrids), alongside an expansion of its high-speed rail network. What started with just one line in 2008 now covers 96% of areas with at least 500,000 residents. Meanwhile, Tesla entered China in 2014, and by 2023, the country had 22 million plug-in cars, accounting for over half of the world’s total.
Interestingly, EV adoption rates weren’t uniform across China. Cities that gained high-speed rail connectivity experienced an additional boost. According to researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Fudan University, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, cities linked to the rail network saw EV market share and sales rise by 1.22 percentage points and 91.39%, respectively. The researchers concluded that an extensive, well-integrated rail system acts as a “reliable complement to EVs.”
Implications for India
This finding is particularly relevant for India, where fully battery-operated vehicles accounted for less than 3% of total car sales last year. A key reason for slow adoption is the limited availability of public charging stations—only 25,000 across the country. Unlike China, where charging infrastructure is widespread with over 3 million stations, Indian car owners mostly charge their vehicles at home. This works well for city commutes, but long-distance travel remains a challenge due to “range anxiety.”
India has focused heavily on expanding highways while its railway infrastructure, originally built during British colonial rule, has suffered from decades of neglect. Between April and November 2023, express trains averaged just 51 km/h (32 mph), while regular trains ran at only 22 mph. In contrast, China’s high-speed trains travel at 220 mph—nearly ten times faster.
China’s high-speed rail network is set to exceed 50,000 kilometers (31,000 miles) this year. Meanwhile, India’s bullet train project—connecting Mumbai and Ahmedabad—is still under construction. Originally planned for a 2022 launch, it is now expected to be operational by 2026 with Japanese funding and expertise.
India faces many financial demands, making it difficult to allocate resources for a $100 billion investment in high-speed rail, similar to China. However, prioritizing efficient long-distance mass transportation presents a strong case. Previous research has shown that Chinese cities connected to high-speed rail networks gained greater access to global markets. The same logic applies to EV adoption—better rail connectivity could drive higher electric vehicle usage.
The Role of Imports and Competition
Despite this, high-speed rail alone won’t immediately transform the Indian EV market. Instead, changes in import policies could provide an immediate boost. Under pressure from former U.S. President Donald Trump, India may have to lower its 110% import tax on foreign cars. Following Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington, Tesla is expected to introduce several thousand cars to the Indian market in the coming months.
Increased competition from Tesla, Suzuki, and BYD will likely disrupt the market, which is currently dominated by Tata Motors (holding a 58% share) and JSW MG Motor (a joint venture between China’s SAIC Motor and India’s JSW Group, with a 25% market share).
While new models might help EV adoption rise to U.S. and European levels of 10–25%, matching China’s 45% penetration will require more than tax breaks and subsidies. A well-developed high-speed rail system is crucial. Modi’s government has pledged to develop three additional bullet train corridors—covering eastern, northern, and southern India—alongside the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route in the west.
Even if Modi is unable to see these projects through during his political career, setting them in motion would be a significant step toward making India a leader in electric mobility.
