Power Shift: India Rolls Out Electric Mobility Index to Charge Up EV Race

In a landmark initiative to systematically monitor and boost India’s electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, NITI Aayog launched the first-ever India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) in August 2025. This pioneering framework is designed to benchmark and track the progress of all Indian states and Union Territories (UTs) in adopting electric mobility and building supportive infrastructure, thereby accelerating India's transition to clean, sustainable transport.

 

Key Highlights: The IEMI Framework and Objectives

 

The India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) evaluates states and UTs on a comprehensive scale from 0 to 100, based on 16 carefully selected indicators grouped under three core thematic areas: Transport Electrification Progress, Charging Infrastructure Readiness, and EV Research and Innovation Status.

 

Transport Electrification Progress captures demand-side factors such as EV adoption rates and sales growth.

 

Charging Infrastructure Readiness assesses the availability, density, and usability of EV charging networks critical for consumer confidence and scalability.

 

EV Research and Innovation Status measures the supply-side ecosystem including research and development efforts, patents, and innovation activities that underpin long-term sustainability.

 

The index provides policymakers with a transparent and comparative tool to identify strengths, gaps, and best practices, fostering targeted interventions and healthy competition among states.

 

Launch Event and Key Dignitaries

 

The IEMI report and digital dashboard were unveiled at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, by Shri Rajiv Gauba, Member of NITI Aayog, in the presence of Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam (CEO, NITI Aayog), Shri Kamran Rizvi (Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries), Shri O.P. Agarwal (Distinguished Fellow, NITI Aayog), and Shri Sudhendu Sinha (Programme Director – E-Mobility, NITI Aayog).

 

These leaders emphasized the importance of integrated planning, state-level coordination, and data-driven policymaking to realize India’s ambitious electric mobility goals and net-zero commitments.

 

State Performance and Categorization

 

Based on their overall IEMI scores, states are categorized into three groups:

 

Frontrunners (scores between 65 and 99): Delhi, Maharashtra, and Chandigarh lead with robust, well-established EV ecosystems marked by high adoption, extensive charging infrastructure, and strong innovation footprints.

 

Performers (scores between 50 and 64): States such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Haryana show promising advancements but require concerted efforts to close existing gaps.

 

Aspirants (scores below 50): A broad group including Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Ladakh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Punjab, Goa, and others, where EV adoption and infrastructure readiness remain nascent, necessitating focused policy support and investments.

 

This categorization helps in setting differentiated goals and support mechanisms tailored to each state’s readiness and potential.

 

Significance for Policy and Market Development

 

The IEMI facilitates evidence-based policymaking by offering a granular understanding of where each state stands in the EV transition journey.

 

It encourages the sharing of successful models and innovations across regions to accelerate adoption rates, infrastructure build-out, and research collaborations.

 

By highlighting infrastructural shortfalls and innovation deficits, the index enables strategic allocation of resources, facilitating regulatory reforms and incentive designs that address local challenges.

 

The tool underpins India’s broader vision to shift 30% of all vehicle sales to electric by 2030 and to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector.

 

Technical Features and Accessibility

 

Alongside the detailed annual report, a real-time digital dashboard provides policymakers, industry stakeholders, researchers, and the public with accessible and up-to-date insights into state-wise EV ecosystem development.

 

The dashboard enables dynamic tracking of progress and benchmarking, fostering transparency and accountability.

 

Driving India’s Net-Zero Commitment and Sustainable Growth

 

The IEMI acts as a crucial instrument in India’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, directly supporting decarbonization strategies for the transport sector.

 

It integrates demand-side growth with supply-side innovation, recognizing that clean mobility success depends on harmonizing consumer adoption, infrastructure readiness, and technological advancement.

 

The index also encourages cross-sectoral collaboration, engaging government agencies, industry players, research institutions, and civil society for a coordinated EV ecosystem development.

 

Looking Ahead: Expanding Impact and Continuous Improvement

 

The IEMI framework will evolve with periodic updates to incorporate emerging technologies, market trends, and policy shifts.

 

Efforts are underway to engage more deeply with aspirant states through targeted capacity building, technical assistance, and financial incentives.

 

The NITI Aayog hopes the index will inspire states to set ambitious targets, innovate policy instruments, and foster inclusive electric mobility that benefits urban and rural areas alike.

 

Conclusion

 

India’s launch of the India Electric Mobility Index marks a transformative step in tracking and accelerating its EV transition. By providing a transparent, comprehensive, and data-driven framework, the IEMI empowers states and UTs to benchmark progress, identify actionable insights, and scale sustainable electric mobility solutions. As Delhi, Maharashtra, and Chandigarh lead the way, a nationwide momentum is building towards India’s cleaner, greener transport future aligned with global sustainability goals.

 

Sources: NITI Aayog official releases, Economic Times Energy, AffairsCloud