Three-wheeler EV adoption gains traction in Tamil Nadu

Three-wheeler electric vehicle (EV) penetration in Tamil Nadu so far in the calendar year 2025 has already surpassed the numbers for 2024, data show.

As per data available on Vahan portal, a total of 2,802 electric three-wheelers have been registered in 2025 till May. EV adoption or penetration (measured in terms of EV sales as a percentage of the total vehicle sales) stood at 16.07% in 2025, as compared to 13.92% for the entire 2024.

“In Tamil Nadu, there has been consistent rise in the penetration of EVs, with ‘Passenger Autos’ rising from almost 4% in 2023 to above 8% in 2025. The penetration in the cargo vehicle segment is above 27%,” Roy Kurian, business head – last-mile mobility, Montra Electric, said. Montra Electric is the electric mobility brand of the Murugappa Group.

“State-level incentives — road tax exemptions and registration benefits — have helped lower the entry barriers for drivers. At the same time, availability of more reliable products has opened up a wider market,” Mr. Kurian said.

Tamil Nadu has also been at the forefront in the usage of EVs, such as e-carts being used in waste management activities. The fast pace at which the government is focused on developing Public Urban transport like Metro Rail will also support growth of the last-mile EV solutions, he added.

Montra Electric has seen strong traction for its EV three-wheelers in Tamil Nadu, with demand emerging from not only Chennai but also being driven by cities such as Madurai, Kanniyakumari, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, and Tiruchi. Most of the initial customers being those who can charge the vehicles at their homes. Smaller towns, where travel distance is less, are quickly picking up EVs, Mr. Kurian said.

The cargo segment is being driven by the logistics and e-commerce players, who have realised the benefits of EVs over internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles for better profitability. They can also set up the charging and service infrastructure to support the fleet relatively easily, he said.

However, Mr. Kurian said there was a long way to go for both the industry and government to come together on specific areas, including: affirmative actions to discourage purchase of ICE three-wheelers and actively move to EVs and earmarking space for charging stations in the key market areas, Mr. Kurian said.

Ragavendra Ravichandran, co-founder and chief operating officer, Plugzmart, a Chennai-based EV charger manufacturer, said the increase in adoption was mainly driven by economics — rising fuel prices and the much lower running cost of EVs.

K.P. Karthikeyan, chief executive officer and director of Zeon Electric Private Limited, said even though three-wheeler adoption was rising, the numbers were still below the national average (which is at 45.27%).

With the State government looking at improving charging infrastructure, the numbers will go up, he added.

Sriram J, senior manager, charging infrastructure at Bolt.Earth, said availability of more product options and drivers’ comfort level had been driving the three-wheeler EV adoption.

K.P. Karthikeyan, CEO and Director of Zeon Electric Private Limited said even though three- wheeler penetration is picking up, still the numbers are below national level (which is at 45.27%). With the State government looking at improving charging infrastructure, the numbers will go up, he said.

Sriram J, senior manager, charging infrastructure, at Bolt. Earth said availability of more product options and drivers comfort level is driving the three-wheeler electric vehicle penetration.