Telangana has emerged as India’s leading state for electric vehicle readiness, overtaking earlier frontrunners as public charging infrastructure expands nationwide. Andhra Pradesh follows in second place, while Chandigarh ranks third and Delhi slips to seventeenth. The HERE-SBD EV Index 2026 report highlights a market gaining momentum through stronger consumer interest, faster charger deployment, and improving technology.
Yet the findings also expose a gap between infrastructure growth and everyday charging confidence. With thousands of new public charge points installed, India’s next challenge is ensuring drivers can find working, accessible chargers that support daily journeys and longer trips without uncertainty or disruption.
Which State Leads India in EV Readiness?
Telangana ranks first for EV readiness in the HERE-SBD EV Index 2026 report, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Chandigarh. Haryana and Rajasthan share fourth place, while Delhi ranks 17th. India added more than 31,500 public charge points since the previous edition, but charging reliability remains a major obstacle for drivers.
The Big Numbers Behind India’s EV Shift
- Telangana jumps from 25th to first in the state readiness rankings.
- More than 31,500 public charge points added since the previous index.
- Charging power capacity increases by 1.65 GW.
- Average charger power rises from 32 kW to 45 kW.
- 87% of surveyed Indian respondents are more likely to consider buying an EV than a year ago.
- 77% of surveyed EV owners encountered faulty stations that prevented charging.
Telangana Surges Ahead, While Delhi Loses Ground
HERE Technologies, a mapping and location data company, and automotive research firm SBD Automotive have released the third consecutive India edition of their EV readiness index.
The results show substantial changes in how states and union territories support electric mobility.
| State or union territory | 2026 rank | Change from 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Telangana | 1 | Up from 25th |
| Andhra Pradesh | 2 | Up from 13th |
| Chandigarh | 3 | Previously first |
| Haryana | Joint 4 | Previous rank not specified |
| Rajasthan | Joint 4 | Up from 11th |
| Delhi | 17 | Down from fourth |
Telangana’s rise reflects improvements in charging infrastructure alongside the availability of complete EV fleet data. Its ranking change therefore includes both infrastructure progress and a fuller picture of the vehicles already on its roads.
Andhra Pradesh improved across all four index metrics to secure second place. Chandigarh’s underlying performance also improved, but faster progress elsewhere pushed the former leader into third.
Rajasthan advanced into the leading group, sharing fourth place with Haryana. Delhi slipped sharply because its infrastructure and adoption improvements lagged behind those of other regions. A lower relative ranking does not necessarily mean infrastructure declined.
India Adds 31,500-Plus Public Charge Points
India’s public charging rollout accelerated significantly during the latest index cycle.
More than 31,500 public charge points were added, representing over four times the annual deployments recorded during the previous cycle. Total charging power capacity increased by 1.65 GW.
Average charger power also climbed from 32 kW to 45 kW, indicating greater investment in higher-powered infrastructure.
These additions strengthen the foundations for future EV demand. However, charger numbers and rated power alone cannot establish whether drivers will find a working charger when they need one.
EV Buying Interest Strengthens as Fuel Costs Rise
The consumer survey places India among the most optimistic EV markets surveyed.
Nearly nine in ten Indian respondents—87%—said they were more likely to consider purchasing an EV than a year earlier.
The leading reasons were
- Rising fuel costs: cited by 46% of respondents.
- Improved EV driving range: cited by 36%.
- Faster charging: cited by 36%.
When asked to choose between an EV and an internal combustion engine vehicle with equal prices and specifications, 61% preferred the EV.
The findings suggest electric vehicles are increasingly entering mainstream purchase consideration. These responses measure consumer interest, rather than confirmed purchases.
Confidence Grows, but Charging Problems Persist
Confidence in India’s charging future remains strong. 87% of respondents believe the country can develop the infrastructure needed to support increasing EV adoption.
Perceptions of local charging availability improved from 57% in 2025 to 62% in 2026.
Nevertheless, practical concerns continue to influence buying decisions:
| Barrier to EV adoption | Share of respondents citing it |
|---|---|
| Limited charging infrastructure | 46% |
| Driving range concerns | 36% |
| Charging costs | 30% |
Existing owners reported particularly challenging experiences. 83% said they had avoided trips because of charging concerns, while 77% encountered faulty charging stations that prevented them from charging.
These findings reveal why expanding coverage must be accompanied by dependable operation, accessible locations, and better information about charger availability.
Industry Leaders Call for a Better Charging Experience
Abhijit Sengupta, General Manager for India and Southeast Asia at HERE Technologies, described an ecosystem advancing through rising consumer confidence, accelerating infrastructure deployment, and stronger state-level progress.
He stressed that the next priority is helping drivers confidently discover, access, and use chargers whenever needed.
Robert Fisher, Senior Consulting Manager at SBD Automotive, similarly highlighted India’s optimism while identifying reliability as a continuing challenge. He said infrastructure quality must keep pace with network expansion and the growing number of EVs on the road.
How the EV Readiness Rankings Are Calculated
The HERE-SBD EV Index 2026 report evaluates Indian states and union territories using four metrics. Each carries a maximum of 25 points, creating a total possible score of 100.
| Metric | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Public chargers relative to road length | Charging coverage across the road network |
| Average charging power capability | The power capability of available infrastructure |
| EV share of the overall vehicle fleet | How widely electric vehicles have been adopted |
| EVs relative to public charging infrastructure | Potential pressure on chargers and the likelihood of finding one available |
The wider study combines EV maturity rankings with a separate consumer survey.
Its rankings cover 50 US states and Washington, D.C., 30 European countries, 34 Indian states and union territories, and eight Australian states and territories.
The survey includes more than 4,000 drivers across the US, Europe, India, and Australia, examining purchase motivations, EV perceptions, ownership experiences, and charging readiness. That figure represents the combined international sample, rather than India alone.
What This Means for India’s EV Market
The HERE-SBD EV Index 2026 report shows India entering a more mature phase of electric mobility, with stronger purchase interest and rapidly expanding charging capacity.
For buyers, regional readiness remains an important consideration alongside vehicle price, range, and access to home charging. For charging operators and policymakers, the next opportunity is clear: improve uptime, accessibility, and discoverability so infrastructure investment translates into greater confidence on the road.
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