EV Research on CarDekho Rises 60% as Tier-II Cities Drive Interest
CarDekho EV research rises 60% year-on-year as Tier-II cities drive electric car interest, with SUVs, running costs and mileage shaping buyer decisions. CarDekho EV research has risen 60% year-on-year between May 2025 and May 2026, while EV research in Tier-II and smaller cities is growing nearly three times faster than in Tier-I markets. Bhubaneswar, Gurugram and Jaipur recorded some of the strongest growth in EV searches.
CarDekho EV Research Rises 60%
India’s electric vehicle market is moving beyond its early metropolitan audience, and new consumer data from CarDekho offers a striking signal of that transition. The number of consumers researching only electric vehicles on the platform increased by 60% year-on-year between May 2025 and May 2026. At the same time, consumers researching only internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles declined by 14%, pointing towards a gradual change in how Indian car buyers approach their next purchase.
The shift is significant because online research often represents the first serious stage of the modern car-buying journey. Consumers compare prices, range, charging requirements, features, running costs and ownership experience before stepping into a dealership. The latest CarDekho EV research therefore provides an important window into changing consumer behaviour rather than simply measuring vehicle sales.
More importantly, the growth is no longer restricted to India’s biggest urban centres. CarDekho’s insights suggest that smaller cities are becoming increasingly important to India’s electric mobility story, creating a broader and more diverse market for EV manufacturers.
Tier-II Cities Drive EV Research
The strongest message from the latest CarDekho EV research is the growing influence of Tier-II and smaller cities. EV research activity in these markets is increasing nearly three times faster than in Tier-I cities, suggesting that electric mobility is rapidly becoming a national consumer conversation rather than a metro-only trend.
Bhubaneswar recorded the highest growth in EV research at 84%, followed by Gurugram at 75% and Jaipur at 72%. Agra, Patna and Ludhiana also recorded more than 50% year-on-year growth in EV-related searches. These numbers indicate that consumers outside traditional automotive hubs are becoming more curious, informed and willing to consider electric cars.
This development could have major implications for automakers. As EV awareness spreads, manufacturers will need to think beyond metropolitan showroom networks and premium urban customers. Smaller cities may increasingly influence product positioning, dealership expansion, charging infrastructure and financing strategies.
The rise of Tier-II markets also shows that EV adoption is increasingly connected to practical ownership questions. Consumers are not merely asking whether electric cars are futuristic; they are asking whether an EV makes financial and practical sense for their everyday lives.
Electric SUVs Lead Consumer Interest
Another important trend emerging from the CarDekho EV research is the strong preference for larger electric vehicles. SUVs accounted for 82.5% of total EV consideration on the platform, while SUV consideration grew 30.8% annually. Hatchbacks, by comparison, represented around 11% of EV consideration.
The preference reflects a broader transformation in the Indian passenger vehicle market, where SUVs have become increasingly popular for their road presence, space, features and perceived versatility. The same preferences are now entering the electric vehicle segment.
For consumers, electric SUVs can combine the advantages associated with EV ownership with the practicality of a larger family vehicle. For automakers, the trend creates an opportunity to introduce electric SUVs across different price categories rather than treating EVs only as compact urban vehicles.
The growing interest in larger EVs also suggests that consumers are becoming more comfortable with electric technology. Earlier concerns around range and charging could have limited EV consideration to smaller city cars. Today, buyers appear increasingly prepared to explore premium electric vehicles that promise greater space, performance and technology.
EV Buyers Focus on Running Costs: CarDekho research
The latest CarDekho EV research also reveals a more mature electric vehicle buyer. Instead of simply browsing electric cars, consumers are increasingly evaluating what ownership will actually cost. This change is particularly important because the purchase price of an EV is only one part of the ownership equation.
Electric vehicles can offer lower running costs, particularly when owners have access to convenient home charging. CarDekho’s own comparative testing has previously highlighted how charging an EV at home can substantially reduce per-kilometre costs compared with conventional fuel, although the economics vary according to electricity rates, charging methods, vehicle prices and usage patterns.
This explains why consumers are spending more time researching mileage, charging and long-term expenses before making a purchase decision. The electric car is no longer being evaluated simply as a technology product. It is increasingly being treated as a long-term financial decision.
For manufacturers, this means transparent information could become a powerful sales tool. Buyers want realistic range expectations, charging costs, battery information and ownership calculations. Brands that communicate these factors clearly may be better positioned to convert online interest into showroom visits and eventual purchases.
Fuel Prices Boost EV Demand as per CarDekho’s data
Fuel economics continue to play an important role in the electric vehicle conversation. According to CarDekho’s data, EV purchase enquiries increased 51% during periods of elevated fuel prices and remained 38% above normal levels even after prices stabilised.
The finding is particularly revealing because it suggests that fuel prices can trigger consumers to reconsider their vehicle choices, but the resulting interest may not disappear when prices return to more stable levels. Once consumers begin researching EVs, they may continue evaluating the technology based on its long-term ownership economics.
This could gradually change the traditional relationship between fuel prices and vehicle demand. Petrol and diesel prices have historically influenced purchasing decisions, but consumers now have another option to consider: shifting from recurring fuel expenditure towards electricity-based mobility.
For Indian households, this calculation can become especially important when a vehicle is driven frequently. Daily commuting, school runs, business travel and family mobility can make running costs a significant part of monthly expenses. As consumers become more financially conscious, EVs may increasingly be assessed through the lens of total cost of ownership.
EV Mileage Searches Reveal Buyer Intent
Perhaps one of the clearest indicators of changing consumer behaviour is the sharp rise in searches related to EV mileage calculations. CarDekho reported that searches for EV mileage calculations surged 242% in May 2026, showing that prospective buyers are digging deeper into real-world efficiency and range before making decisions.
This is more than a simple increase in curiosity. Mileage calculations connect technology with everyday household economics. A buyer considering an electric car wants to know how far it can travel, how often it needs charging and what each kilometre will cost.
Range anxiety, once one of the biggest psychological barriers to EV adoption, is therefore being replaced by research-driven decision-making. Consumers are comparing claimed range with real-world usage and examining whether a vehicle fits their daily routine.
The change also creates an opportunity for automotive platforms such as CarDekho. As buyers seek increasingly detailed information, digital automotive platforms can play a central role in helping consumers compare vehicles, understand ownership costs and narrow down their choices before visiting dealerships.
What CarDekho EV Research Means
The broader message from the CarDekho EV research is that India’s electric vehicle market is becoming more geographically diverse and more consumer-driven. The 60% rise in EV-only research does not automatically mean that EV sales will increase by the same percentage, because online searches represent consideration rather than completed purchases. However, the trend provides a valuable indication of where consumer attention is moving.
The importance of Tier-II cities could be especially significant. As electric mobility expands, manufacturers will need to ensure that charging infrastructure, service networks, financing options and customer education keep pace with consumer interest.
The data also points towards an increasingly informed buyer. Consumers are asking practical questions about range, mileage and running costs rather than simply responding to the novelty of electric technology. That is a positive development for the industry because informed consumers are more likely to select vehicles that genuinely match their requirements.
For automakers, the opportunity is substantial. For consumers, the growing availability of information could make the transition to electric mobility less uncertain.
The Road Ahead for EV Cars
India’s electric car journey is entering a more competitive phase. New models, expanding charging networks and changing consumer expectations are creating a market where buyers have more choices than ever before. The strong SUV preference highlighted by CarDekho further suggests that future EV growth will not be limited to entry-level vehicles.
Yet infrastructure will remain an important factor. A consumer may be interested in an electric SUV, but the final purchase decision can depend on access to home charging, public charging availability, service support and confidence in battery longevity.
This is where Tier-II and smaller cities could become a crucial test for India’s EV ecosystem. Rising interest is already visible, but converting that interest into sustained adoption will require a coordinated effort from automakers, dealers, charging providers, financiers and policymakers.
The next phase of EV growth, therefore, may not be decided only by how many electric cars manufacturers launch. It could depend on how effectively the ecosystem addresses the practical questions consumers are already asking.
Key Takeaways from CarDekho EV Research
The latest CarDekho EV research offers a compelling snapshot of India’s changing automotive preferences. EV-only research increased 60% year-on-year, while Tier-II and smaller cities recorded growth nearly three times faster than Tier-I markets. Bhubaneswar, Gurugram and Jaipur emerged among the fastest-growing locations for EV research.
At the same time, SUVs dominated EV consideration with an 82.5% share, while searches for EV mileage calculations jumped 242%. Higher fuel prices also pushed EV purchase enquiries higher, demonstrating that ownership economics remain central to consumer decision-making.
The bigger story is not simply that more Indians are searching for electric cars. It is that more Indians are researching them seriously. From metropolitan buyers to consumers in emerging cities, the conversation is shifting from “Should I consider an EV?” to “Which EV makes the most sense for me?”
That shift could prove crucial for the next chapter of India’s electric mobility revolution. If infrastructure, affordability and consumer confidence continue to improve, the country’s Tier-II cities may not merely participate in EV growth — they could become one of its strongest engines.
For more insights navigate: PressPire | Stories That Shape the Future
Read previous article here: https://presspire.com/butterfly-learnings/
Follow PressPire on Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube
PressPire | Stories That Shape the Future
