Overview

• Based on 1,200 face-to-face interviews across all 24 municipal wards, the report captures rickshaw and taxi drivers’ views on EV adoption barriers and needs.
• Sixty-two percent cited scarce charging infrastructure and 60 percent pointed to high upfront prices, with range anxiety (28 percent) and future maintenance costs (24 percent) also weighing on decisions.
• Eighty-five percent were aware of EVs, 64 percent said purchase subsidies are essential, and 53 percent called for easier access to credit.
• Thirty-nine percent expected higher earnings from lower operating costs and reported better performance, while 45 percent expressed interest in training on EV use and maintenance.
• Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar said charging expansion is underway and policies will be refined, as the report urges fast charging and battery swapping, dedicated EV parking, innovative financing, and stronger scrapping incentives.