Battery replacement costs top concern for hesitant EV buyers in India, PulseAI study finds
By Eve
Battery replacement costs are the leading barrier to EV adoption among Indian consumers, cited by 23.2% of undecided or reluctant shoppers in a PulseAI Research survey of 1,300 people. The study found 50.1% of active vehicle shoppers were seriously considering an EV, while battery safety concerns ranked second at 20.9%, long charging times third at 20.1%, and battery degradation fourth at 19.8%. An eight year battery warranty was the most preferred confidence building measure, selected by 30.7% of respondents, while 82.9% of shoppers with annual household incomes of ₹20 lakh to ₹50 lakh said they wanted EV prices to remain close to petrol, diesel or CNG vehicles if subsidies were withdrawn.
Why it matters
The findings highlight that charging infrastructure concerns, cited by 17.8% of reluctant buyers, rank below battery cost and safety worries, suggesting CPOs must work alongside manufacturers to address total cost of ownership fears. The strong preference for eight year warranties and sensitivity to subsidy removal among middle income buyers signals that procurement strategies may need to emphasise long term reliability guarantees and financing options to drive EV uptake in India.
Source
- Original title
- “Battery Replacement Costs Top Concern Among Hesitant EV Buyers: PulseAI Study”
- Published
- 29 October 2026
In this story
- Topic
- Electric Vehicles
- Place
- India
- Tag
- PulseAI
Related news
iCaur SUVs reportedly planned for France in early 2027, according to Frandroid
Frandroid reported on 27 October 2026 that iCaur, a brand linked to Chery, is aiming to launch the V25 and V27 SUVs in France in early 2027, with the V23 following later without a firm date. The V23 would need structural modifications before homologation, which Frandroid does not detail. The timetable comes from the press rather than the manufacturer, powertrains for France are unconfirmed, and nothing in the sources shows any of the models can yet be ordered in France.
Why it matters
A new Chery-linked entrant could add electric or range-extender SUVs to the French parc from 2027, but with no confirmed powertrains or manufacturer commitment, planning on charging demand or fleet supply should treat this as an unverified signal. It is worth tracking as a competitive-map item rather than a firm market input.
Tata Motors reportedly developing Kuno mid-size electric SUV for 2027 to 2028 launch to rival MG Windsor
According to people familiar with the programme, Tata Motors is developing a ground-up, roughly 4.3-metre mid-size SUV codenamed Kuno, scheduled for introduction in 2027 to 2028 and likely to be built at Sanand in Gujarat. Planned annual production is around 80,000 to 100,000 units, which the report says is a capacity plan and not a first-year sales forecast. The commercial name, final specifications and pricing have not been disclosed, and Tata is preparing capacity additions at Sanand, which includes the former Ford plant.
Why it matters
A further mid-size EV line from Tata, alongside the new-generation Nexon, Curvv and Sierra, points to a larger family-oriented EV parc in India from 2027 to 2028, which could support longer-term charging demand planning. Planned volumes of 80,000 to 100,000 units a year at Sanand suggest the scale of vehicle supply CPOs and site hosts may need to anticipate, though timing and specifications remain unconfirmed.
BYD confirms suicide doors and a gemstone grille for the Yangwang Altior flagship sedan
Yangwang general manager Hu Xiaoqing confirmed on Friday that the new Altior will have suicide doors, a first for a BYD model, opening nearly 90 degrees. He also posted a preview of the front fascia, which has a dot-matrix grille and crystal-inspired headlights. Yangwang is BYD's ultra-luxury brand, whose earlier models have debuted with the quad-motor e4 platform (over 1,300 hp), second-generation Blade Batteries and Flash Charging, and the DiSus-X body control system, and the excerpt says the Altior may use solid-state batteries.
Why it matters
Yangwang launches have tended to carry BYD's newest battery and charging technology, so the Altior is worth watching as a signal of where its charging requirements may head. The excerpt gives no charging specifications for the Altior, so CPOs and procurement teams should treat any compatibility implications as unconfirmed for now.