In a surprising turn for the global electric vehicle industry, Indian automakers Tata Motors and Mahindra have claimed the top two positions in energy efficiency among the world’s largest manufacturers, according to the International Council on Clean Transportation’s Global Automaker Rating 2025. Tata Motors recorded the lowest adjusted energy consumption at 106 watt-hours per kilometre, while Mahindra followed closely with 113 Wh/km. Both figures sit well below the industry average of 131 Wh/km and place the Indian companies ahead of established leaders such as Tesla and BYD, which ranked third and fourth respectively among the 22 automakers evaluated.
The ICCT report assesses major manufacturers across multiple metrics related to the transition toward zero-emission vehicles, including sales performance, manufacturing decarbonisation and battery-electric vehicle efficiency. The energy-efficiency ranking focuses specifically on the average energy consumption of each company’s BEV fleet after weight adjustments. Lower consumption per kilometre translates directly into reduced electricity use, lower running costs for owners and a lighter load on the power grid.
Tata Motors benefited from a broad portfolio of relatively compact electric models designed for the Indian market, where efficiency and affordability remain critical. Mahindra, appearing in the global ranking for the first time, achieved a strong result with its own growing range of electric vehicles. The performance highlights how Indian engineering priorities—lighter vehicles, optimised battery packs and designs tuned for local driving conditions—can deliver superior efficiency even against companies that dominate global EV sales volumes.
Industry-wide progress on efficiency has largely stalled. The average energy consumption across the evaluated fleets remained almost unchanged from the previous year at 131 Wh/km. Only eight manufacturers improved their figures, while twelve recorded slight declines, mostly linked to shifts in fleet composition rather than fundamental technological setbacks.
The efficiency leadership does not extend across every category measured by the ICCT. Reports note that Tata Motors ranked near the bottom for charging speed and relatively low for driving range, underscoring that energy efficiency and overall vehicle competitiveness involve different engineering trade-offs. Indian EVs typically use smaller battery packs compared with many global models, prioritising cost and efficiency over the longer ranges common in markets with extensive highway driving.
For India the results carry broader significance. The country aims for 30 percent electric vehicle penetration in new passenger vehicle sales by 2030, yet current EV share remains under 5 percent. Highly efficient domestic models could ease pressure on the electricity grid while supporting energy security goals. The ranking also strengthens the case for continued investment in local manufacturing and technology development as India expands its electric mobility ecosystem.
Although Tata Motors and Mahindra led only the efficiency metric rather than the overall transition ranking—where Tesla retained the top position—the outcome demonstrates that Indian manufacturers can compete at the highest level on a key technical parameter. As battery technology, charging infrastructure and model line-ups evolve, the efficiency advantage shown by these two companies offers a foundation for more competitive electric vehicles tailored to both domestic and potential export markets.
