Two Indian car manufacturers have just surpassed Tesla in an area that you would typically expect it to excel in.

Two Indian car manufacturers have just surpassed Tesla in an area that you would typically expect it to excel in.

      Two Indian automotive companies, Tata Motors and Mahindra, have emerged at the top of a global electric vehicle (EV) efficiency ranking, surpassing Tesla and BYD.

      Initially, I assumed that Tesla leading an efficiency ranking was a given until I actually reviewed the figures. It turns out that these two Indian firms have outperformed both Tesla and the largest EV manufacturer in the world on their home turf.

      When I first came across the report, it was hard to believe, especially since I have been observing the Indian auto industry for several years.

      So, who is actually in the lead?

      Tata Motors, the parent company of Jaguar Land Rover, secured the top spot in the International Council on Clean Transportation's 2025 ranking for the most energy-efficient battery EVs, with an average energy consumption of just 106 watt-hours per kilometer (according to Rest of World). For context, Tata Motors boasts the most extensive EV lineup in India, featuring seven different models.

      Mahindra, another prominent car manufacturer in India, ranked second with an energy consumption of 113 Wh/km. In comparison, Tesla and BYD, the global leaders in EV production, came in third and fourth, respectively, among the 22 largest car manufacturers evaluated globally.

      However, the industry as a whole shows little progress. Average energy consumption remained largely unchanged year-over-year, at 131 Wh/km in 2025. Only eight manufacturers made efficiency improvements, while 12 experienced declines, mostly minor.

      So, why does this information matter for India specifically?

      Despite the impressive efficiency metrics, the stark truth is that EVs account for less than 5% of new car sales in India, while the global figure stands at 25%. This comes as the Indian government pursues an ambitious target of 30% EV adoption by 2030 to lower emissions, reduce oil imports, and enhance domestic manufacturing.

      India ranks as the world's fourth-largest consumer of petroleum. Amit Bhatt, managing director of ICCT India, described the country’s emission cap initiatives as “progressive and ambitious,” with stricter regulations being developed for 2027 to 2032.

      However, efficiency victories do not tell the complete story. Tata Motors ranked last in charging speed and sixth from the bottom for driving range in the same report, highlighting that creating an efficient battery differs significantly from engineering a truly competitive EV.

      In other news, BYD has launched its Racco, marking Japan’s first electric kei car with a range exceeding 300 km. The Racco not only undercuts Nissan's Sakura in price, even before taxes and incentives, but it also includes features not commonly found in the kei car market.

      BYD has entered the Japanese kei car sector with the Racco, designed specifically for the compact car segment. Its highest trim offers 320 km of range, making it the first compact electric vehicle in the market to exceed 300 km, as reported by ITHome. Kei cars are a unique vehicle classification in Japan with strict size and power limitations, traditionally dominated by local manufacturers such as Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, and Daihatsu. The Racco represents BYD's inaugural foray into this segment.

      Additionally, there have been speculations about BMW developing an electric convertible that enthusiasts have long desired, with potential plans extending to 2028.

      For years, there have been rumors of a two-door BMW i4, and according to a recent report from BMWBlog, at least one version is in the pipeline. Sources familiar with BMW indicate that the company is preparing an i4 Convertible under the internal codename NA3.

      Lastly, Waymo’s driverless cars have been accumulating parking tickets in Austin, with the situation becoming a fleet-wide operational challenge.

      Waymo's vehicles have received 83 parking citations in Austin, totaling $9,325 in fines since their introduction in 2024. While this does not indicate a financial crisis for the company, it highlights the repetitive driving errors made across its autonomous fleet. City records obtained by The Wall Street Journal reveal that most of these fines have been paid, but the more significant insight is the frequency of the same mistakes made by its vehicles.

Two Indian car manufacturers have just surpassed Tesla in an area that you would typically expect it to excel in. Two Indian car manufacturers have just surpassed Tesla in an area that you would typically expect it to excel in. Two Indian car manufacturers have just surpassed Tesla in an area that you would typically expect it to excel in. Two Indian car manufacturers have just surpassed Tesla in an area that you would typically expect it to excel in. Two Indian car manufacturers have just surpassed Tesla in an area that you would typically expect it to excel in. Two Indian car manufacturers have just surpassed Tesla in an area that you would typically expect it to excel in. Two Indian car manufacturers have just surpassed Tesla in an area that you would typically expect it to excel in.

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Two Indian car manufacturers have just surpassed Tesla in an area that you would typically expect it to excel in.

Indian automakers Tata Motors and Mahindra have surpassed Tesla and BYD in battery efficiency in a recent global ranking, although both still fall short in terms of charging speed and range.