An In-Depth Look at Justdial’s Data on Electric Vehicle Searches: A Shift from Metros to Non-Metro Cities
The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is rapidly gaining momentum across India, and it’s no longer just the big metro cities leading the charge. Recent data from Justdial, India’s leading local search engine, reveals a dramatic shift, with non-metro cities emerging as key drivers in the country’s growing demand for electric vehicles. This shift marks a new phase in India’s transition toward cleaner mobility, highlighting the widespread appeal of EVs across regions traditionally overshadowed by metro cities.
A Nationwide Surge in EV Searches
Justdial’s analysis, which compares search trends for electric vehicles from January 2022 to August 2024, paints a compelling picture of how interest in EVs has skyrocketed. In the period from January to August 2023 alone, searches related to EVs saw a staggering nationwide increase of 220%. This surge in consumer interest has been fueled by a confluence of factors, including government incentives, growing environmental awareness, and rapid advancements in EV technology. The Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) reported that the market share of electric passenger vehicles doubled in just one year, from 1.3% in March 2022 to 2.6% by March 2023.
However, Justdial’s data reveals a striking trend in the geographic distribution of this interest. While metro cities initially dominated EV-related searches, the growth in non-metro areas is now outpacing that of their urban counterparts. Between January and August 2024, non-metro cities saw a 141% rise in searches, nearly doubling the 71% growth observed in metro cities during the same period.
Metro Cities: Pioneers of the EV Search Surge
Metro cities have long been at the forefront of India’s transition to electric vehicles. In the comparison between January-August 2022 and the same period in 2023, these cities led the way, with Hyderabad seeing an unprecedented 740% increase in searches. Other major urban centers such as Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Jaipur followed suit, with search volumes rising 272%, 244%, and 225%, respectively.
Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata, key metro hubs, also showed significant spikes, with Mumbai registering a 179% increase in searches, Delhi 166%, and Kolkata 117%. This early surge was primarily driven by the availability of EV charging infrastructure, government subsidies, and a growing number of electric vehicle models in these cities.
However, despite their early dominance, metro cities saw a relative slowdown in EV search growth between 2023 and 2024. Chennai led the pack during this period with a 368% increase, but overall metro growth was capped at 71%. Cities like Jaipur and Hyderabad saw a more modest rise of 68%, while Ahmedabad and Bangalore recorded an increase of just 53%.
Non-Metro Cities: The New Powerhouses of EV Growth
The real story of India’s EV search boom, however, is unfolding in non-metro cities. Between January 2023 and August 2024, Indore emerged as the leader, recording an astonishing 379% rise in EV-related searches. Patna followed closely with a 230% increase, and Surat saw a 143% uptick in search activity.
This surge in interest from non-metro cities underscores a significant shift in consumer behavior. As electric vehicles become more affordable and accessible, smaller cities are showing heightened curiosity and enthusiasm for cleaner mobility solutions. Coimbatore, for example, saw a 178% increase in searches from January-August 2022 to January-August 2023, highlighting the early momentum in these regions.
The growth in non-metro regions is being driven by several factors, including increasing disposable incomes, growing awareness about environmental issues, and the expanding availability of EV charging infrastructure. Additionally, local governments in smaller cities are stepping up efforts to promote electric vehicles, providing further impetus for adoption.
Category-Wise Breakdown: Electric Bikes on Rent Lead the Way
Within the EV search category, certain segments have witnessed explosive growth. The most dramatic rise has been in searches for electric bikes on rent. Hyderabad, once again, led the charge, with searches increasing 18-fold between January and August 2022 compared to the same period in 2023. Ahmedabad and Bangalore followed, with search volumes rising five and four times, respectively.
In addition to electric bikes, searches for electric vehicle dealers saw a substantial increase of 203%, while electric car dealers experienced a more moderate 55% rise. Between January-August 2023 and January-August 2024, searches for electric vehicle dealers grew by 151% across the country, with Delhi leading the pack at 146%.
Searches for electric bus manufacturers also saw a notable 142% rise, while electric vehicle battery dealers experienced a 137% surge during the same period. These figures reflect a broader trend of consumers exploring not just electric vehicles themselves, but also related services and infrastructure.
Looking Ahead: India’s EV Market Expands Beyond the Metros
As the data from Justdial highlights, the electric vehicle revolution is no longer confined to India’s largest cities. Non-metro regions are playing an increasingly important role in driving the country’s transition to cleaner mobility. The rising interest in electric vehicles across these regions is likely to further accelerate the growth of India’s EV market, which has already seen sales of electric passenger vehicles nearly double from 47,551 units in FY23 to 90,996 units in FY24.
Looking ahead, the rapid expansion of EV-related infrastructure, government initiatives, and the growing availability of affordable EV models are expected to fuel even greater consumer interest. With both metro and non-metro cities showing strong growth in EV searches, India is on track to become a global leader in electric mobility.
In conclusion, Justdial’s data offers a clear indication that the EV wave is sweeping across the entire country. While metro cities laid the groundwork, non-metro regions are now emerging as the real powerhouses of India’s electric vehicle revolution, signaling a promising future for cleaner, more sustainable transportation nationwide.
