Mahindra Storms Past MG in H1 2026 EV Sales; Maruti Debuts at Fourth
India's electric passenger vehicle market grew 79 percent year on year to 1,48,023 units in the first half of 2026. Tata Motors held its lead with 39 percent share, but the bigger story is Mahindra, which nearly tripled its volume, overtook JSW MG Motor and locked in the number two spot.
What was announced
Electric passenger vehicle sales in India rose 79 percent year on year to 1,48,023 units in January to June 2026, up from 82,535 units in the same period last year. Momentum built through the half: Q1 registrations were up 64 percent at 62,178 units, and Q2 jumped 93 percent to 85,845 units. June 2026 became the first month ever to cross 30,000 EV registrations, at 32,259 units, more than double June 2025.
Mahindra's 147 percent EV growth is not a launch bump, it is proof that Indian buyers still want a real SUV shape when they go electric.
| Carmaker | H1 2026 | H1 2025 | YoY | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tata Motors | 57,370 | 31,556 | 82% | 39% |
| Mahindra | 34,131 | 13,801 | 147% | 23% |
| JSW MG Motor | 31,819 | 26,883 | 18% | 21% |
| Maruti Suzuki | 6,404 | Not offered | New | 4% |
| VinFast | 5,627 | Not offered | New | 4% |
| BYD | 3,300 | 2,507 | 32% | 2% |
| Hyundai | 2,725 | 4,278 | -36% | 2% |
| Kia | 2,643 | 254 | 941% | 2% |
| Citroen | 196 | 815 | -76% | 0% |
| Toyota | 33 | Not offered | New | 0% |
Source: Autocar India, based on Vahan registration data. Maruti Suzuki, VinFast and Toyota entered the segment after H1 2025.
The Car Jury verdict
The BE 6 and XEV 9E are doing exactly what we said they would when we rated both a BUY at The Car Jury: pull buyers who wanted a proper SUV shape, real range and Mahindra's road presence, not a tall hatch dressed up as an EV. A 147 percent jump is not a fluke, it is product-market fit. MG's Windsor EV, which we rated WAIT, is now visibly plateauing as the novelty of the BaaS pricing fades.
Biturbo Media flags the flip side: "the electronic dependency has increased even more" on the new Mahindras, and long-term reliability data is thin. Maruti's e-Vitara at 6,404 units is a soft debut for India's largest carmaker; dealer reach alone will fix that by year end. Buyers wanting an Indian EV with genuine SUV credentials should shortlist the BE 6 and XEV 9E first.
