He called for realistic, well-executed plans that ensure the financial sustainability of charging networks, the competitiveness of domestic manufacturing, and the flexibility to adapt to changing technological and geopolitical landscapes.
11 Nov 2025 | 1108 Views | By Shristi Ohri, Darshan Nakhwa
Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Director of Corporate Affairs at Maruti Suzuki India, struck an optimistic note about India's electric vehicle journey at the India EV Conclave, emphasizing that the country is in a critical foundation-building phase that will pay dividends in the long term.
"India frustrates you in the ...
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Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Director of Corporate Affairs at Maruti Suzuki India, struck an optimistic note about India's electric vehicle journey at the India EV Conclave, emphasizing that the country is in a critical foundation-building phase that will pay dividends in the long term.
"India frustrates you in the short term but pleasantly delights you in the long term," Bharti told attendees at the panel discussion at Hyatt Regency Delhi. "Today a lot of foundation building has happened but foundations are not visible—a lot of facade on top will be visible tomorrow."
Bharti pointed to a significant vote of confidence in India's EV potential: Suzuki Motor Corporation's decision to make India its global EV manufacturing hub instead of producing electric vehicles in Japan. "The very fact that Suzuki Motor decided to make EVs in India instead of Japan says a lot about India's potential," he said.
However, Bharti was candid about the challenges facing the sector, particularly in charging infrastructure deployment. He warned against the temptation to rapidly expand charging networks without considering utilization rates and financial viability.
"Today people who have invested in charging have a very low capacity utilisation," Bharti noted. "In the next 5 years people who have put up charging infra need to recover their investments." He advocated for a more measured, granular approach, suggesting that infrastructure should first be concentrated in urban centers where usage would be higher before expanding to highways and rural areas.
India's public charging infrastructure has grown to over 25,000 stations by the end of 2024, representing significant progress, but concerns about low utilization rates and poor economics for charging point operators remain pressing issues.
Bharti identified several bottlenecks that need addressing in the short term: strategic placement of charging infrastructure with state government support in identifying and providing land in urban centers, grid management improvements to handle increased electricity demand, and localization of cell manufacturing to reduce dependence on imports.
On policy matters, Bharti emphasized that while the central government has provided substantial support for EVs through various schemes and incentives, much of the implementation responsibility now falls on state governments. "The Central government is doing a lot for EVs. A lot needs to be done in the state government's implementation," he said.
Addressing the broader question of technology pathways, Bharti advocated for a flexible, multi-technology approach rather than betting entirely on battery electric vehicles. "Our end goal is carbon reduction. Tomorrow there could be hydrogen and it may be a great energy pathway," he said. Given geopolitical risks and potential supply chain disruptions, Bharti argued that "it becomes prudent to put eggs in all baskets."
This technology-agnostic stance reflects growing industry concern about over-reliance on any single powertrain solution, particularly given uncertainties around critical raw material supplies and international trade dynamics. Bharti called for India to "be open minded, flexible and follow a de-risking policy when it comes to geopolitics."
India has set an ambitious target for EVs to make up 30% of total passenger vehicle sales by fiscal year 2030, but industry observers note that achieving this goal will require the annual growth rate in EV penetration to nearly double from current levels.
Bharti's message to the industry and policymakers was clear: patience and strategic thinking are essential. Rather than chasing headline-grabbing numbers or rushing infrastructure deployment, India needs realistic, well-executed plans that ensure the financial sustainability of charging networks, the competitiveness of domestic manufacturing, and the flexibility to adapt to changing technological and geopolitical landscapes.
"We need to be very realistic too," Bharti concluded, emphasizing that sustainable, long-term success in electric mobility requires building solid foundations today—even if the results aren't immediately visible.
The India EV Conclave 2025 was presented by Chargezone, with Rosmerta Technologies as the Platinum Partner. The event is powered by IPG Automotive and Gulf Oil Lubricants India, with PTC serving as the Technology Partner. Associate Partners include Spark Minda, Radici Group, and Delta Electronics. The conclave also has trade partnerships with FADA, ASDC, and ICAT.