Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh on Friday, 10 July 2026, credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push for clean and affordable transport after electric two-wheelers crossed a landmark threshold in India, with their share of total two-wheeler sales surpassing 10 per cent for the first time in June 2026.

Posting on X, Singh wrote: 'पहली बार कुल दोपहिया वाहनों की बिक्री में इनकी हिस्सेदारी 10% के पार पहुंची है' — 'For the first time, their share in total two-wheeler sales has crossed 10 per cent' — calling it a clear signal of the country's growing confidence in green transport. He linked the milestone to the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat 2047.

Context

The 10 per cent penetration mark is widely regarded in the auto industry as a tipping point that signals mainstream consumer acceptance rather than niche adoption. India's two-wheeler segment is among the largest in the world by volume, making even a fractional shift in the sales mix a significant absolute gain for electric mobility. Singh described the achievement as a product of 'continuous efforts' under Modi's leadership to promote clean, affordable and environment-friendly transport.

Policy Backdrop

The milestone sits on a foundation of successive central schemes. The FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme, launched in 2015 and expanded in Phase II in 2019 with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore, provided direct purchase subsidies that helped bring down the upfront cost of electric two-wheelers. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for automobiles and auto components, notified in 2021, complemented demand-side support by incentivising domestic manufacturing of EV components, reducing import dependence.

Both schemes sit under the broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat framework announced in 2020, which aims to build self-reliant supply chains in strategic sectors. India's commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2070 and its desire to reduce crude oil import bills have given the EV push a dual economic and environmental rationale.

Stakeholders and Impact

Domestic two-wheeler manufacturers stand to benefit most immediately, as higher EV volumes justify fresh investment in battery assembly, motor production and charging infrastructure. Urban commuters — the core buyers of entry-level electric scooters — gain from lower running costs compared with petrol-powered alternatives. State governments that have layered their own EV subsidies on top of central incentives may also see this data as vindication of their policies.

The shift also carries implications for fuel retailers and the downstream petroleum sector, as sustained EV adoption gradually trims petrol consumption in the segment. Component suppliers transitioning from internal combustion engine parts to electric drivetrains face both opportunity and disruption.

What's Next

Industry observers will watch quarterly sales data from SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) for July–September 2026 to determine whether June's record share holds and deepens, or whether it reflects seasonal or subsidy-driven factors. Any fresh state-level EV policy announcements — particularly on charging infrastructure rollout — could sustain the momentum. The government's own Viksit Bharat 2047 roadmap treats electric mobility as a pillar of sustainable development, suggesting that policy support is unlikely to be withdrawn in the near term.