Maruti Suzuki Flags Lack of EV Charging Infrastructure as Major Hurdle to Mass Adoption

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, has once again raised concerns over the slow pace of electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the country, citing inadequate public charging infrastructure as the key roadblock. While the range capabilities of modern EVs have improved significantly, the lack of widespread and affordable charging stations remains a major deterrent for buyers considering EVs as their primary mode of transportation.

Summary Table

Public Charging Viability: The Real Bottleneck

Speaking at a media roundtable, Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales) at Maruti Suzuki, noted that range anxiety is no longer the biggest concern. Many of today’s EVs can travel up to 500 km on a single charge, which is enough to meet most daily needs. However, the real challenge lies in the availability and viability of public charging facilities.

Although the share of EVs in India’s passenger vehicle segment has risen from 2.4% to 4.5% in recent years, Banerjee stressed that electric cars are still largely purchased as second or third vehicles, not the main household car.

The Economics Behind Slow Charging Infrastructure Growth

According to Banerjee, economic viability is a significant factor holding back private investment in charging networks. He explained that:

• About 95% of EV owners charge their vehicles at home, where electricity costs between Rs 7 and Rs 10 per unit.

• Public charging stations, on the other hand, cost around Rs 20–21 per unit and are used mostly in emergencies.

• Due to low utilization rates and high operational costs, charging operators are hesitant to expand aggressively.

This has created a “chicken-and-egg” situation: without a dense charging network, potential EV buyers hesitate to make the switch; without high EV adoption, infrastructure providers are reluctant to invest.

Psychological Reassurance Matters

Banerjee emphasized that even rarely used chargers have value in building consumer confidence.

“I may not charge outside, but knowing there is a charging point every 50–100 km gives me peace of mind,” he said.

Without such reassurance, buyers tend to view EVs as supplementary vehicles rather than primary ones. Until the network is robust and charging speeds improve, Maruti Suzuki expects EVs to remain secondary household cars.

Growing EV Sales but Challenges Persist

Despite infrastructure challenges, electric passenger vehicle registrations have grown significantly. In the most recent month, registrations rose to 15,528 units, compared to 8,037 units in the same period last year.

However, Maruti Suzuki believes that sustained growth will require a parallel expansion in public charging facilities, especially on highways and in smaller cities.

Maruti’s EV Plans and e-VITARA Launch

To address the issue, Maruti Suzuki is working on building charging infrastructure across 100 cities in India. The company is also preparing to launch its first fully electric model, the e-VITARA, later this year.

Banerjee reiterated the company’s view that multiple technologies should coexist in the automotive market, allowing customers to choose based on their needs. He cautioned against giving undue preference to one technology over another, saying,

“It should be the customer’s discretion, based on his requirement, what he wants. One technology should not be given more weightage than others.”

Entry-Level Car Sales Decline

Banerjee also addressed the decline in entry-level car sales, attributing it to cost escalation from new regulations, which has made affordability a challenge for buyers.

To counter this, Maruti Suzuki plans to introduce a financial package that allows buyers to own an Alto for just Rs 2,999 per month. He added that the recent repo rate cut has yet to translate into benefits for end customers.

Special Edition Grand Vitara Launch

Commemorating a decade of its Nexa premium sales network, Maruti Suzuki has launched the Grand Vitara PHANTOM BLAQ edition, featuring a distinctive matte black wrap. This special edition reflects the brand’s continued efforts to offer variety and exclusivity to its customers.

FAQs

Q1: What is the main challenge to EV adoption in India according to Maruti Suzuki?

A. The lack of widespread and economically viable public charging infrastructure.

Q2: How much does it cost to charge an EV at home vs a public station?

A. Home charging costs around Rs 7–10 per unit, while public charging costs Rs 20-21 per unit.

Q3: What is Maruti Suzuki’s upcoming EV model?

A. Maruti Suzuki plans to launch the e-VITARA later this year.

Q4: How is Maruti addressing the affordability issue in entry-level cars?

A. By introducing a special financial package allowing customers to own an Alto for Rs 2,999 per month.

Q5: What is the Grand Vitara PHANTOM BLAQ edition?

A. A matte black wrapped special edition of the Grand Vitara, launched to celebrate a decade of the Nexa network.