Electric Vehicles

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

Pranav Balakrishnan

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.

This is a premium article and available only to subscribers.

Already a subscriber? Sign In

What's your right fit?

Be the smartest person in the room. Choose the plan that works for you and join our exclusive subscriber community.

Premium Articles

4 articles every week

Trusted by the best

Karthik Reddy

Blume Ventures

The CapTable brings a refreshing set of insights for us at the Blume team, highlighting stories that bring together the underlying business and founders with that of investors' journeys with these startups. It's an important perspective that very few bring to startup ecosystem enthusiasts.

Latest Articles

Why Swiggy Instamart is banking on Maxxsaver to fix its course

With profitability still elusive, Swiggy Instamart is betting on higher AOVs and non-grocery orders to shift its trajectory.

Pranav Balakrishnan

The rare academic-to-founder journeys that succeed

Few academics manage to build scalable startups. The CapTable looks at two who defied the odds, shifting from lab work to market strategy and venture building.

Parvathi Benu

Frame by frame: Reading the finer details in Lenskart’s DRHP

Lenskart’s IPO documents lift the lid on how India’s largest eyewear brand is navigating global expansion, heavy infrastructure bets, and a business model that bets more on bricks over clicks.

Team Captable

Can SuperYou muscle its way into your snacking habits?

Kishore Biyani’s nephew, Nikunj, has joined hands with superstar Ranveer Singh to bet big on guilt-free snacking that promises protein without being too preachy. The quick commerce rush is real, but cracking the offline market will not be easy.

Shivani Verma

From heirloom to collateral: How Gen Z is monetising grandma’s gold

India's oldest asset is fuelling its newest borrowers. What was once a family heirloom is now financial leverage for Gen Z. Gold loans, once rural and stigmatised, are now urban and aspirational. But with RBI’s new draft regulations, will the gold rush get caught in red tape?

Sohini Mitter

Convinced that The Captable stories and insights
will give you the edge?

Convinced that The Captable stories
and insights will give you the edge?

Subscribe Now

Stories

Explore