KATHMANDU: Indian car buyers are increasingly shifting away from petrol-powered vehicles, with alternative-powertrain cars outselling pure-petrol models for the first time in August 2026.
According to data from Equirus Securities, CNG, hybrid and electric cars together accounted for 42% of total passenger vehicle sales in August. Petrol-powered cars accounted for 41%, down from 46% a year earlier.
CNG vehicles recorded the biggest share among alternative powertrains at 25%, up from 21% in August last year. Electric vehicle (EV) sales also continued to grow, rising 52% year-on-year to 30,700 units.
EV penetration increased to 7.7% in August, compared to 5.9% in the same month last year.
Tata Motors continued to lead India’s EV market, increasing its market share to 43% in August, its highest level since December 2025. Its share stood at 42% in July.
Meanwhile, MG’s EV market share dropped to 15% in August from 28% a year earlier. Mahindra’s share also declined slightly, falling from 23% in July to around 21% in August.
Delhi emerged as India’s largest EV market in August, with EV penetration reaching around 19%.
