Punjab’s electric mobility push is losing momentum despite rapidly rising electric vehicle sales. The India Electric Mobility Index 2025, released by NITI Aayog on September 17, 2026, places the state near the bottom of its peer group. With infrastructure, commercial adoption, and policy support remaining uneven, Punjab lags in EV transition even as more residents choose electric two-wheelers and cars.
The state scored 39 out of 100, falling from 44 in 2024, and retained its “emerging performer” status. The findings highlight a widening regional gap, with neighboring Haryana, Rajasthan, and Chandigarh achieving significantly stronger electric-mobility readiness scores than Punjab today.
Punjab ranked 16th among 17 large states in IEMI 2025, scoring 39 points. Weak commercial adoption and charging support hurt its performance, although EV sales increased strongly in 2025.
Punjab Near Bottom of Large-State Ranking
Prepared by NITI Aayog with WRI India, the index assesses 2025 progress across transport electrification, charging readiness, and EV research and innovation.
Punjab ranked 21st among 36 states and Union Territories. Only Gujarat scored lower among large states, with 38 points. Maharashtra led with 78; Karnataka scored 73 and Tamil Nadu 61.
Regional comparison:
- Haryana and Rajasthan scored 51 each and became “front runners.”
- Chandigarh ranked fourth nationally with 71 points.
- Delhi led nationally with 84, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
The decline needs context: IEMI 2025 added peer groups, revised data sources, and refined calculation methods.
Commercial EVs and Charging Support Remain Weak
Punjab lags in EV transition as performance differs across segments. It scored 49 for private EV adoption but only 15 for commercial adoption. Transport electrification scored 36, charging readiness 43, and research and innovation 39. Governance initiatives scored 67, while the charger-to-vehicle ratio received 40.
Punjab achieved 100 for EV-ready building bye-laws, yet scored zero for public-charger capital subsidies and transition initiatives. Regulations exist, but support remains inadequate.
EV Sales Rise Despite Weak Ranking
Sales highlights:
- Total EV sales climbed from 24,008 in 2024 to 35,631 in 2025.
- Electric two-wheeler sales rose from 19,858 to 27,264; another 5,322 were registered in January-March 2026.
- Electric-car sales jumped from 4,150 to 8,367; another 2,218 arrived in early 2026.
- Electric-bus adoption remained negligible: 13 registrations in 2024, one in 2025, and none during early 2026.
What Punjab Must Do Next
The report recommends scrappage and retrofit incentives, permit exemptions for commercial EVs, lower charging-station electricity tariffs, infrastructure subsidies, and research, skills, and innovation support, including EV centers of excellence.
Punjab has promoted electric tractors and pole-mounted chargers in Ludhiana and Amritsar. Its EV policy, launched in February 2023, now runs until February 20, 2027, covering purchase incentives, manufacturing, and charging infrastructure.
However, Punjab lags in EV transition because execution has not matched ambition. PEDA chief executive Abhijeet Kaplish said he would respond after studying the report. Closing commercial and charging gaps will determine whether Punjab lags in EV transition or becomes a competitive clean-mobility market.
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