India’s Electric Pickup Truck Revolution Could Determine The Country’s EV Future

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India’s electric vehicle market is growing steadily at 24-25% annually, but from a surprisingly small base — EVs represent just 2.5% of all vehicles sold in 2024. However, one segment could change that trajectory dramatically: electric pickup trucks.

Before we go into the details, let me clarify that the pickup truck segment mentioned here (as defined by India’s own vehicle categorization), are light small trucks, not the usual 2-box plus long box America is used to. Also, unlike the humongous, steel-hungry (even if it was an F-150 Lightning), space-guzzling American pickup trucks, India’s EV pickup trucks are work-oriented, compact, and frugal. One could say “pickup” refers to the cargo bed, with either a pickup bed or a dropside. In India, this is mostly dropside.

Light commercial pickup trucks dominate India’s commercial vehicle market, commanding approximately 57% market share with over 543,000 units sold in fiscal year 2024. This makes them the largest single vehicle category in the commercial sector, and potentially the key to achieving India’s ambitious electrification targets.

The government has set a goal to electrify 70% of all commercial vehicles by 2030, a target that hinges largely on pickup truck adoption. The math is compelling: if successful, pickup electrification alone could contribute roughly 385,000 electric vehicles annually by 2030, nearly doubling today’s total EV sales of 2 million across all categories.

“The pickup truck segment represents the single largest opportunity for commercial vehicle electrification in India,” explains the market dynamics. Unlike private car buyers who worry about charging infrastructure and range anxiety, commercial operators focus on total cost of ownership and operational efficiency.

This business-first approach is already driving a wave of innovation across two distinct segments of India’s pickup market.

In the light pickup and mini-truck category, Tata Motors has solidified its frontrunner position with the Ace EV, an electric mini-truck built on the legacy of the popular Ace platform that has become a staple for last-mile delivery fleets. With a certified range of over 150 kilometers on a single charge, it’s designed for urban navigation and cost-efficient operation. Mahindra’s e-ZEO electric four-wheeler light pickup serves similar urban logistics needs, complemented by the highly successful three-wheeled Treo Zor for agile last-mile solutions.

Beyond these established giants, newer manufacturers are entering the light pickup space with compelling alternatives. Montra Electric’s EVIATOR light pickup truck boasts a longer-than-average range, positioning it for businesses that need more ground to cover between charges. Euler Motors’ Storm EV series, including the T1250 model, stands out with significant payload capacity and modern features aimed at urban cargo transport. Switch Mobility, part of the Ashok Leyland group, has introduced its IeV4 light commercial electric vehicle.

The market reality is clear: India’s electric pickup revolution is being driven by these compact, urban-focused vehicles rather than traditional pickup trucks, which remain largely absent from the electric vehicle landscape.

The infrastructure challenge remains significant. Survey data reveals that charging infrastructure inadequacy, particularly in non-metro cities, remains the primary barrier to EV adoption. Long charging times and limited public charging networks continue to deter potential buyers.

However, commercial fleet operators may prove more adaptable to these constraints than individual consumers. Businesses can plan routes around charging infrastructure, invest in workplace charging, and calculate precise return-on-investment for electric vehicles based on operational savings.

The stakes are substantial. India’s EV market, valued at $5.22 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $18.32 billion by 2029. Success in electrifying the pickup segment, which processes everything from last-mile deliveries to urban logistics, could accelerate that growth significantly.

While established players like Switch Mobility and emerging companies like Euler Motors compete for market share, the real test will be whether India can build the charging infrastructure to support commercial vehicle electrification at scale. And there are the Chinese truck-makers to contend with. DongFeng has both the light pick-up truck and the Rich EV6 pickup (a Nissan Navara, electric clone) and BYD with the T3. There are dozens of other EV trucks from China, just ready to invade India.

Will these other brands come in to enhance (or overwhelm) the Indian EV market? The answer will largely determine whether the country meets its 2030 targets and transforms from an EV laggard to a leader in sustainable transportation.

Light pickups/mini-trucks (the current electric market)

• Tata Ace EV
• Mahindra e-ZEO
• Montra Electric EVIATOR
• Euler Motors Storm EV series
• Switch Mobility IeV4

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