Maruti, Hyundai split on electric car future; petrol, diesel cars may be phased out from Delhi roads

Maruti Suzuki, believes electric vehicles (EVs) will take time to gain mass adoption, as customers still see them as secondary cars and remain concerned about public charging infrastructure, battery range, and post-sales support. However, Hyundai, the country’s second-largest carmaker, takes a different view, expecting EV sales to nearly double to 5% of total car sales by FY27 from an estimated 2.7% in 2024-25.

This comes at a time when the central government is actively discussing plans to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles in Delhi-NCR in a bid to tackle air pollution. However, the comments were not based on reports that government is discussing phasing out fuel vehicles.
Maruti has been among the slowest large carmakers to launch EVs, and its doubts about their mainstream acceptance persist. “EVs sold today are not primary cars, but rather secondary. Till the time we don't solve customer concerns on range, charging infrastructure and post-sales, buyers will not have confidence. EVs will remain a secondary car, where numbers will not grow fast,” TOI quoted Partho Banerjee, senior executive officer (marketing & sales) at Maruti Suzuki, as saying.

Maruti showcased its first EV, the eVitara, in January and plans to launch it later this year. Banerjee said the government and carmakers must work together to resolve customer concerns.

Hyundai, however, is optimistic. Tarun Garg, chief operating officer at Hyundai India, said the increasing presence of major brands like Tata, Mahindra, Hyundai, Kia, and Maruti in