A recent article by D Dhanuraj and Nissy Solomon of the Centre for Public Policy Research, Kochi, argues that India’s EV policies have largely benefited private vehicle owners rather than the general public. Using Delhi’s draft EV Policy 2026 and Karnataka’s withdrawal of EV tax exemptions as examples, the authors highlight how public funds have been directed toward individual car buyers — with larger subsidies going to luxury EVs — while public bus fleets in major cities remain severely understaffed.

The authors call for a shift in fiscal priorities: from subsidising private EV ownership to investing in e-bus fleets, shared mobility, and multimodal infrastructure — ensuring that the benefits of India’s EV transition reach the majority of commuters who depend on public transport.

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