As India's EV market picks up, rich states lead the race in sales

Electrics and hybrids account for 1 per cent and 5.7 per cent share of total car sales, respectively

While it was evident in the 1800s that automobiles would replace horse-drawn carriages, inventors were experimenting with different fuels. Steam-powered vehicles were preferred, but there were attempts at running electric motors as well. German Bartha Benz’s 106 km cross-country journey won the race for gasoline-fuelled internal combustion engine vehicles.

Two centuries later, advancements in technology and concern about fossil fuels have put electric vehicles (EVs) on the map again.

The Auto Expo shows are handy for tracking changes in the industry. Five years ago, India sold less than 1,000 electric cars, and the Expo featured 26 concept EVs.

At the