Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 August 2026 revealed that electric vehicle sales in India have surged to 25 lakh units in 2025-26, up from a mere 1.5 lakh units in 2009-10 — a rise of over 16-fold, or roughly 1,567 per cent, over the period. The Prime Minister made the announcement during his address on the occasion of India's 80th Independence Day at the Red Fort in New Delhi.

EV Growth as a Marker of New-Age Mobility

Modi cited the electric vehicle surge as evidence of India's accelerating transition toward sustainable and technology-driven industries. 'In 2009-10, only 1.5 lakh electric vehicles were sold. In 2025-26, 25 lakh electric vehicles have been sold,' he said, framing the numbers as a direct outcome of supportive policy frameworks and the entrepreneurial energy of India's youth.

The growth trajectory places India among the faster-growing EV markets globally, though analysts note that the base in 2009-10 was extremely low, and two-wheelers and three-wheelers continue to account for the bulk of units sold.

Bioeconomy's Steep Climb

The Prime Minister also pointed to the bioeconomy as a high-growth sector, stating that its turnover has risen from approximately ₹60,000 crore before 2014 to ₹20 lakh crore currently — a more than 33-fold expansion. 'The bioeconomy is a new sector. There was a time, before 2014, when the bioeconomy was worth only ₹60,000 crore,' Modi said. The sector spans pharmaceuticals, agri-biotech, industrial enzymes, and biofuels, and has benefited from both global demand and domestic policy incentives.

Aviation, Drones, and Domestic Manufacturing

Modi highlighted rapid expansion in the aviation sector, noting that new airports, routes, and employment opportunities are being created across the country. Aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities are generating skilled employment, while India is making early strides toward domestic aircraft manufacturing. The drone technology sector was also cited as an emerging opportunity for young Indians entering high-skill industries.

Asset Unlocking and Household Impact

The Prime Minister stated that around 3.25 crore families have benefited from an unspecified government scheme, with assets worth approximately ₹140 lakh crore unlocked as a result, according to his address. He framed the expansion of these sectors as collectively strengthening India's capabilities in emerging technologies and creating a broader opportunity landscape for the country's youth.

With EV adoption, bioeconomy scale-up, and aviation growth all cited in a single address, the Independence Day speech signals that the government intends to position these sectors as the next pillars of India's economic identity — a shift in narrative from welfare delivery to technology-led growth.