On September 9, 2025, the world celebrates the sixth annual World EV Day, a global movement championing electric mobility and sustainable transportation. Founded in 2020 by Green.TV and ABB, this year’s campaign, themed “Share the Spark: #DriveChange”, encourages individuals, businesses, and governments to ignite excitement around electric vehicles (EVs). For India, the world’s third-largest automotive market with a booming EV sector, World EV Day 2025 is a moment to celebrate progress, address challenges, and accelerate toward a cleaner future. Join Motors77 as we explore the significance of this day, India’s EV journey, and how you can be part of the electric revolution!
What is World EV Day 2025?
World EV Day, marked annually on September 9, is the world’s largest e-mobility campaign, generating over 200 million impressions across 119 countries in 2023. This year, led by Green.TV, the campaign’s “The Better Manifesto” focuses on the emotional appeal of EVs—why they’re better for drivers, the planet, and the future. It’s a day of global activations, including EV meetups, policy announcements, and industry showcases, all aimed at promoting electric vehicles as a cornerstone of sustainable mobility.
Key highlights of World EV Day 2025 include:
- Global EV Meetups: Events hosted by EV drivers, companies, and communities to share experiences and inspire adoption.
- Innovative Showcases: Companies like Lucy Group and Milence are unveiling charging infrastructure solutions, while Octopus Electroverse offers competitions with free charging credits.
- Policy Advocacy: Governments and organizations push for stronger EV incentives, aligning with global decarbonization goals.
For Indian readers, World EV Day aligns with India’s push for sustainable mobility, showcased at events like the Bharat Mobility Global Expo (January 16–22, 2025, New Delhi).
India’s EV Revolution: Where We Stand
India’s EV market is thriving, with EV sales up 45% year-on-year in Q1 2025 and electric car penetration reaching 5.4% in August 2025, according to industry reports. Here’s a snapshot of India’s progress and its relevance to World EV Day 2025:
1. Growing Adoption and Impact
- Indian brands like Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, and MG Motor India are leading the charge. Tata’s Nexon EV (₹14.49 lakh ex-showroom, Delhi) and Mahindra’s XUV400 EV (₹15.99 lakh ex-showroom) have collectively driven over 642 million km, preventing 7.7 million kg of CO₂ emissions and saving 8.3 million litres of fuel, as per SIAM data.
- Electric two-wheelers dominate, with Ola Electric and Ather Energy offering models like the Ola S1 Pro (₹1.35 lakh ex-showroom) and Ather 450X (₹1.41 lakh ex-showroom), boosted by FAME III and PM E-DRIVE incentives.
- Impact: EVs are reducing tailpipe emissions and noise pollution in cities like Delhi and Mumbai, aligning with World EV Day’s environmental goals.
2. Policy Support and Infrastructure
- GST 2.0 Reforms: Effective September 22, 2025, EVs remain at 5% GST, while small hybrids (≤1200cc petrol/CNG/LPG or ≤1500cc diesel, ≤4m) are taxed at 18%, and large hybrids (>1200cc petrol/CNG/LPG, >1500cc diesel, or >4m) at 40%. Other vehicles, like small cars (≤1200cc petrol/CNG/LPG or ≤1500cc diesel, ≤4m) and motorcycles (≤350cc), are at 18%, while larger vehicles (e.g., SUVs, luxury cars, motorcycles >350cc) face 40% GST, making EVs the most tax-efficient option. Auto parts are uniformly taxed at 18%.
- Charging Network: India has 12,146 public charging stations as of August 2025, with a target of 100,000 by 2030, inspired by global leaders like Milence, who emphasize grid investments.
- Government Initiatives: The PM E-DRIVE scheme (₹10,000 crore budget) and PLI for Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACC) aim to boost domestic battery production, reducing reliance on imports and supporting World EV Day’s sustainability focus.
3. Industry Leadership
- Leaders like Suman Mishra (Mahindra Last Mile Mobility) highlight last-mile electrification, with Mahindra’s 2.7 lakh+ electric commercial vehicles preventing 185,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to planting 4.3 million trees.
- Omega Seiki Mobility underscores India’s shift to sustainable models, with stronger players emerging in the EV sector.
Why World EV Day Matters for India
World EV Day 2025 resonates deeply with India’s mobility goals, addressing urban challenges and economic opportunities:
- Environmental Benefits: EVs eliminate tailpipe emissions, critical for cities like Delhi, where air quality remains a concern (AQI often exceeds 200).
- Economic Savings: EVs offer running costs of ₹1–2 per km vs. ₹5–7 for petrol vehicles, with lower maintenance due to fewer moving parts.
- Urban Mobility: Electric scooters and compact EVs, showcased at events like the Bharat Mobility Expo, cater to India’s congested cities, complementing micromobility solutions highlighted on World EV Day.
- Global Inspiration: The Better Manifesto encourages passionate storytelling, which Indian brands can use to boost awareness and dispel myths about EV range and charging.
Challenges to Overcome
Despite progress, India faces hurdles in its EV journey:
- Charging Infrastructure: India’s 12,146 charging stations lag behind Europe’s 500,000+, and grid reliability remains a challenge.
- Cost Barriers: Even with subsidies, EVs like the Tata Nexon EV (₹14.49 lakh) are pricier than ICE counterparts like the Maruti Brezza (₹8.34 lakh ex-showroom). Affordable models inspired by global launches (e.g., Leapmotor’s B05) could bridge this gap.
- Battery Supply: Dependence on imported batteries, primarily from China, underscores the need for the PLI scheme to scale domestic production.
How Indian Riders Can Join World EV Day 2025
World EV Day, happening today, September 9, 2025, is a chance for Motors77 readers to engage with the EV movement:
- Attend EV Meetups: Join events in cities like Bengaluru or Pune to test drive models like the Tata Nexon EV or Ola S1 Pro. Check worldevday.org for details.
- Explore Incentives: Leverage FAME III subsidies (up to ₹1.5 lakh for electric two-wheelers, ₹50,000 for cars) and state-level benefits to make EVs affordable.
- Share Your Spark: Use #DriveChange on social media to share why you support EVs, inspiring others to join the movement.
- Learn from Global Trends: Follow World EV Day announcements, like Lucy Group’s charging solutions or Milence’s grid strategies, to understand India’s path forward.
Indian Brands to Watch
- Tata Motors: Leading with the Nexon EV and the Curvv EV (₹17.49 lakh ex-showroom, launched August 7, 2024), Tata continues to expand its EV lineup.
- Ola Electric: The S1 Pro and new models are driving two-wheeler adoption with competitive pricing and performance.
- Mahindra: With a focus on last-mile mobility, Mahindra’s electric commercial vehicles are making a significant environmental impact.
- MG Motor India: SAIC-backed MG may introduce premium models like the MG Cyberster (est. ₹50 lakh ex-showroom, 40% GST), blending style with EV tech.
Conclusion: Sparking India’s Electric Future
World EV Day 2025, celebrated today, September 9, 2025, is a global call to embrace electric mobility, and India is rising to the occasion. With 45% EV sales growth, 12,146 charging stations, and robust policies like FAME III, the country is on track to achieve 30% EV penetration by 2030. The Better Manifesto inspires us to share the passion for EVs, from their environmental and economic benefits to their role in urban mobility. For Motors77 readers, today is the perfect time to explore electric vehicles, join local meetups, or advocate for greener transport. Let’s #DriveChange and power India’s electric future together!
Stay tuned to Motors77 for more EV updates, reviews, and insights. Are you ready to go electric? Share your thoughts in the comments below! For more on World EV Day, visit worldevday.org.
