India witnessing shift in Mobility trends with greater focus on Electric Vehicles

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): As per Deloitte's Global Automotive Consumer Study 2022, India is witnessing a shift in mobility trends with more and more consumers expressing interest in electrified and hybrid vehicles.

According to findings of the annual report, more than a third of Indian consumers have expressed interest in electrified and hybrid vehicles, as the segment sets steam with India's focus on environment-friendly, self-manufactured and sustainable solutions post-pandemic.

The study report stated that 59 per cent of the Indian consumers were concerned about climate change, pollution levels and gasoline/diesel vehicles emissions, indicating that consumers interest in electric vehicles (EVs) is due to the perception of lower fuel costs, environmental consciousness, and a better driving experience, it noted. The push for green mobility in the Union Budget with a focus on battery swapping and charging infrastructure has also aided the interest in green mobility.

Rajeev Singh, Deloitte India Partner and Automotive Leader said, "Riding on the crest of evolving customer needs and disruptive innovations, the Indian automotive industry is going to witness a new era of growth. Our latest study delves deep into the changing consumer perceptions indicating a significant increase in the number of consumers, who are evaluating alternate power train options and this is likely to drive growth of EVs (especially two- and three-wheelers) in the country."

"Additionally, the report has also witnessed the growth of a latent need for subscription-based models to cater to the ever-evolving needs of millennials and GenZs with its flexible ownership ability, he added.

Indian consumers were willing to share personal data in exchange for maintenance updates. Around 70 per cent of the Indian respondents are interested in a subscription that allows access to different models from the same brand; 72 per cent are interested in different brands of the vehicle; and 69 per cent are interested in pre-owned vehicles, study report noted.

Besides, while there will be more emphasis on virtual vehicle sales, Indians still want an in-person experience, as per the study. From September to October 2021, Deloitte surveyed more than 26,000 consumers in 25 countries to explore the opinions related to a variety of critical issues that impact the automotive sector, including the development of advanced technologies.