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Electric Vehicles

India's EV fleets look to foreign cars as Tata's XPres-T disappoints

Pranav Balakrishnan

February 04, 2025 | 11 Min Read

February 04, 2025 | 11 Min Read

EV fleet startups were once the biggest buyers of Tata Motors’ XPres-T. But after running these vehicles for 3-4 years, they have realised that breaking even with these vehicles is nearly impossible. Now, they’re turning to foreign alternatives.

Key Takeaways

After running Tata’s XPres-T for a few years, EV fleet startups are switching to alternatives due to concerns over range and durability, leading to prolonged downtime
The vehicle’s limitations make it difficult for operators to break even, forcing them to explore alternatives
Overseas brands Citroen, MG, and BYD are gaining traction by offering better range, faster charging, and greater reliability
However, with no EVs specifically designed for fleet operations, achieving profitability remains a major challenge

At the Bharat Mobility Global Expo, India's biggest auto event, electric vehicles (EVs) took centre stage. Held between January 17-22 at New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan, the event saw Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai showcase their latest electric models, the Vitara EV and Creta EV, while Tata Motors brought back its iconic Sierra and introduced the Harrier EV.

The event’s EV focus was only to be expected, with industry watchers saying EV car sales will take off this year. A record 18 EV launches are scheduled for this year—four times more than in all of 2024. This should see EV car sales double to 4% of overall car sales.

But while carmakers are betting on an electric future, the biggest buyers of EVs so far—fleet startups—are pulling back.

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