The NITI Aayog–World Resources Institute India Electric Mobility Index 2025 has highlighted a major challenge for Assam: electric vehicle adoption is progressing faster than the charging infrastructure needed to support it. 

Assam’s Ranking

• Assam ranked 24th nationally with a score of 35, improving three places from 2024. 
• Among hill and northeastern states, Manipur ranked first (46), followed by Tripura (36) and Assam (35).

What is the India Electric Mobility Index?

The India Electric Mobility Index is a composite index developed by NITI Aayog in collaboration with World Resources Institute India. The 2025 edition assesses the performance of States and Union Territories during January–December 2025.

Its three pillars are:

• Transport Electrification Progress – 50%: Measures electric vehicle adoption and supporting initiatives.
• Charging Infrastructure Readiness – 30%: Assesses charger availability, subsidies, building bye-laws, power availability and related factors.
• Electric Vehicle Research and Innovation – 20%: Covers startups, research and development and patents.

The index uses 16 indicators and aims to encourage evidence-based policymaking, competition and cooperation among States and Union Territories.

Assam’s key findings

Assam presents an interesting contrast. It scored 47 in Transport Electrification Progress, the highest among the hill and northeastern states. However, it scored only 24 in Charging Infrastructure Readiness, ranking last in this regional category.

• Assam recorded 49% commercial electric vehicle registration, compared with only 1% private electric vehicle registration.
• Its charger-to-vehicle ratio was 6.6 chargers per lakh vehicles.
• Assam ranked 28th nationally in electric vehicle research and innovation, showing a weak innovation ecosystem.
• Dispersed settlements and difficult terrain make conventional charging-network expansion particularly challenging in the Northeast.

Exam Hook

Prelims: Which of the following themes carries the highest weight in the India Electric Mobility Index 2025?
Answer: Transport Electrification Progress – 50%.

Mains Link: Assam’s experience shows that electric mobility requires not only vehicle adoption but also charging infrastructure, innovation, suitable regulation and region-specific planning.