Premium

Electric cars sale gain pace, but fuel-powered vehicles still dominate in Chandigarh: Data

While EV registrations continue to rise in the last four years, petrol cars remain top choice for buyers

4 min readChandigarhUpdated: Jan 27, 2026 08:32 PM IST

Hitesh Taneja, general manager, Lally Motors Volkswagen, Chandigarh said that EV growth is visible but still constrained by practical considerations.

Electric vehicle (EV) registrations in Chandigarh have risen sharply over the past five years — from 123 cars in 2021 to 1,512 in 2025 — yet petrol and diesel vehicles continue to dominate the city’s automobile market, data from the Registering and Licensing Authority (RLA), Chandigarh, shows. In 2025 alone, 10,805 petrol cars and 4,558 diesel cars were registered in the city, underlining that conventional fuel vehicles still account for the bulk of car purchases despite growing interest in electric mobility.

The RLA data for the period 2021–2025 suggests that while EV adoption is increasing at the fastest pace in percentage terms, the transition remains gradual. Petrol cars continue to be the first choice for most buyers, followed by diesel vehicles, which, despite a decline, still sell in higher numbers than EVs.

Petrol light motor vehicle (LMV) registrations increased steadily from 12,798 in 2021 to 14,947 in 2022, before peaking at 16,697 in 2023. The segment, however, witnessed a sharp correction thereafter, with registrations falling to 10,303 in 2024 and recovering marginally to 10,805 in 2025. Even after this decline, petrol cars in 2025 were registered in numbers more than seven times higher than electric cars.

Diesel vehicles, often considered to be on a faster decline due to higher costs and stricter emission norms, continue to maintain a significant presence. Diesel car registrations rose from 6,033 in 2021 to 7,922 in 2022, before falling to 6,510 in 2023 and 3,895 in 2024. In 2025, registrations saw a slight uptick to 4,558, still nearly three times higher than EV registrations.

Explaining the trend, Hitesh Taneja, general manager, Lally Motors Volkswagen, Chandigarh said that EV growth is visible but still constrained by practical considerations.

“Electric vehicles are clearly gaining acceptance, especially among city users, but petrol and diesel vehicles continue to dominate due to existing infrastructure, driving habits and long-distance travel needs,” he said.

Taneja also highlighted that another reason behind more sales of petrol cars is because its resale value is better as compared to EVs.

Story continues below this ad

Rishi Sharma, a Sector 44 resident who recently purchased a diesel SUV, said reliability remains a key factor. “I frequently travel to Himachal and Rajasthan. Diesel still offers better range, torque and peace of mind. With EVs, charging availability outside cities is still uncertain,” he said.

The data also highlights the growing role of hybrid vehicles. Petrol-hybrid registrations rose from 802 units in 2021 to 1,465 in 2022, 3,030 units in 2023, before declining to 2,203 in 2024 and further to 1,519 units in 2025. Strong hybrid vehicles, which appeared in RLA data from 2023, have shown consistent growth — from 767 registrations in 2023 to 958 in 2024 and 1,589 in 2025 — indicating that many buyers prefer improved fuel efficiency without dependence on charging infrastructure.

Even EV owners acknowledge the limitations. Nitin Aggarwal, who owns an electric SUV along with a diesel SUV purchased earlier, said EVs are best suited for short-distance use. “I use my EV mainly for city commuting and trips to Mohali and Panchkula, where charging points are easily accessible. It’s economical and comfortable,” he said. “But for long highway journeys, I still rely on my diesel SUV. Charging infrastructure on highways is improving, but it’s not dependable enough yet.”

Two-wheeler data further reflects the mixed pace of transition. Electric two-wheeler registrations rose sharply from 122 units in 2021 to 752 in 2022, 2,103 units in 2023, 1,705 in 2024, before declining to 1,508 units in 2025. Petrol two-wheelers, meanwhile, continued to dominate, increasing from 16,405 registrations in 2021 to 23,466 in 2025, the highest figure in the five-year period.

Story continues below this ad

Commercial users also remain cautious. Manpreet Singh Gill, a taxi operator, said diesel vehicles still make economic sense. “For commercial use, downtime is critical. Diesel vehicles can run continuously and refuel in minutes. EVs will work only when charging becomes as quick and widespread,” he said.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Loading Taboola...