India’s electric vehicle market is expanding, yet wider adoption will depend on more than vehicle prices and battery range. Reliable roadside assistance, dependable charging points and trained service support are emerging as key gaps for EV owners, especially outside major cities.
Varun R., Chief Marketing Officer at ReadyAssist, identified these three areas as critical to making electric mobility a practical mass-market option in India. The concerns become more important as EVs move into smaller cities and towns.
For EV owners, a breakdown on an unfamiliar route can create a bigger challenge than it does for conventional vehicle users. The roadside assistance network for petrol and diesel vehicles developed over several years. EV-specific support is still evolving. Technology platforms, technicians and other industry players are building services aimed at electric vehicles.
"Consumers need to feel confident about owning one over the long term," said Varun, adding that Access to timely roadside assistance is part of that ownership confidence.
Charging infrastructure is another major concern. India had 29,151 public EV charging stations in December 2025, according to the government. The number increased to 52,718 by July 2026, according to the Ministry of Heavy Industries. Of these, 16,561 had fast chargers for cars.
The government allocated Rs. 2,000 crore under the PM E-DRIVE scheme for public EV charging infrastructure. The focus now needs to extend beyond the number of chargers. Owners need charging points that are operational, easy to locate and placed along commonly used routes.
"The next phase of charging infrastructure is therefore not just about more chargers, but about making them reliable and accessible enough for people to plan journeys with confidence. The opportunity now is to build an ecosystem where an EV is not only affordable to purchase, but also easy to charge, service and get assistance for wherever it is being used," Varun added.
Service availability is the third challenge. EV technicians need specialized knowledge of electric drivetrains, batteries, diagnostics and safety procedures. This gap can be significant in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The industry needs a wider network of trained technicians and service centres to support growing EV ownership.
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