Maharashtra leads India’s electric bus market in 2025, selling 1,442 units, ahead of Delhi’s 1,382, Vahan data shows.
Maharashtra has overtaken Delhi to become India’s largest electric bus market in 2025, driven by a sharp rise in state level procurement and strong central policy support for clean public transport.
The state recorded sales of 1,442 electric buses in calendar year 2025, compared with 1,382 units in Delhi, according to data from the central government’s Vahan portal, which tracks vehicle registrations. Electric bus sales in Maharashtra jumped by more than 60% during the year, enabling it to move ahead of the national capital after trailing it in 2024.
India’s overall market for emission free public transport continues to expand. Electric bus sales rose to about 4,400 units in 2025 from a little over 3,600 units a year earlier, covering purchases by state transport undertakings as well as private operators.
In 2024, Delhi had topped electric bus sales with 1,036 units, followed by Maharashtra at 880 units. Tamil Nadu saw the sharpest growth in 2025, with sales rising from just five buses a year earlier to nearly 400 units. In contrast, Karnataka and Gujarat reported steep declines. Karnataka sold only 445 electric buses in 2025, down from more than 800 units the previous year, while Gujarat’s sales fell to 116 units from 329.
Experts attributed the growth to government incentive schemes such as the PM E-Drive programme and the production linked incentive scheme for automobiles. These initiatives have lowered upfront costs, enabled large scale procurement and improved the financial viability of electric buses for public transport agencies.
Despite rapid growth, electrification of public transport in India remains modest compared with China and the European Union, indicating significant room for further expansion.
