India’s electric vehicle (EV) adoption could depend on high-speed rail, not just the nostalgia of trains in Bollywood films. A recent study of 328 cities in China reveals a significant connection between high-speed rail (HSR) and EV growth. From 2010 to 2023, China’s EV market surged to 48%, with 22 million electric cars on the road. At the same time, China’s high-speed rail network expanded rapidly, now covering 96% of areas with 500,000 or more people. Research shows that cities newly connected to the high-speed rail network saw a 91% increase in EV sales. This suggests that a well-integrated rail system could complement EV growth.

In India, less than 3% of cars sold last year were fully electric. A key obstacle is the lack of public charging infrastructure, with only 25,000 charging stations scattered across a vast country. This contrasts sharply with China’s 3 million stations. While most Indian EV owners charge at home, long-distance travel remains a challenge, causing significant range anxiety on highways.

India’s infrastructure focus has been on highways, leaving its railway system inherited from British colonial rule in disrepair. Express trains currently average just 32 miles per hour (51 km/h), while ordinary trains run at a mere 22 miles per hour. In contrast, China’s high-speed trains travel at 220 mph, up to 10 times faster. China’s rail network is set to surpass 31,000 miles (50,000 km) this year, while India’s high-speed rail is still in the early stages. The first bullet train line, linking Mumbai to Ahmedabad, was expected by 2022 but is now projected to open in 2026, with financial and technical support from Japan.

India faces competing priorities for its $100 billion-plus rail investment, but the case for fast, long-distance transport remains strong. Research indicates that cities with access to high-speed rail saw better access to global markets for exports, and the same could apply to EVs. However, for immediate EV growth, India may need to look beyond rail to policy changes. Under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, New Delhi might be forced to reduce its 110% import tax on cars. Tesla, having met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, plans to import thousands of vehicles to India in the coming months, adding competition from companies like Suzuki and BYD.

Currently, Tata Motors dominates the Indian EV market with a 58% share, followed by JSW MG Motor, a joint venture between China’s SAIC and India’s JSW Group, holding 25%. While new models may increase EV adoption to U.S. or European levels of 10-25%, to match China’s 45% adoption rate, India needs more than tax rebates and subsidies it needs robust infrastructure, including high-speed trains. Prime Minister Modi’s government has promised three high-speed rail lines, in the east, north, and south, in addition to the western line. Even if the 74-year-old leader cannot complete these projects in his tenure, getting them started is essential for India’s EV future.

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