PANAJI
Goa may have ranked second in electric vehicle share in India in the last financial year (2024-25), but the streets tell a more muted story.
Two months into 2026, petrol-powered vehicles, including ethanol-blended and hybrid variants, continue to dominate new registrations, even as overall vehicle purchases record an uptick. Electric vehicles have carved out a visible presence, but their growth has been gradual rather than transformative, a trend mirrored across the country.
As per the ministry’s official records, between January and February, Goa registered 15,263 vehicles. Of these, 1,199 were pure electric vehicles, with another 265 classified as battery-operated electric vehicles. Strong hybrid electric vehicles accounted for 77 units.
Petrol vehicles alone totalled 3,603 in the same period and when petrol-ethanol variants -- 8,286 units -- are included, along with petrol-CNG and petrol-hybrid combinations, internal combustion engines remain firmly in command of the State’s new purchases.
The skew is particularly visible in the composition of registrations. Of the total vehicles registered, 10,000 were non-transport two-wheelers.
Light motor vehicles followed at 3,695 units, while heavy goods vehicles, passenger vehicles and medium commercial vehicles together constituted only a marginal share.
In 2025, the State recorded 86,365 vehicle registrations across categories, with monthly highs in October and January. The first two months of 2026 -- 8,160 registrations in January and 7,103 in February -- indicated steady overall demand, but not a decisive shift toward electrification.
The slower transition comes despite clear policy targets. Last year, the Goa government informed NITI Aayog in New Delhi that it aims to achieve 30 per cent electric vehicle registrations by 2030 under its Electric Mobility Policy. The State has also projected the creation of 4,000 to 5,000 jobs in the EV sector last year itself and a goal of meeting 50 percent of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030.
“Price sensitivity, limited charging infrastructure and uncertainty around resale value have affected the EV sales even after almost five years EV entered the market,” a transport official said, pointing to factors shaping consumer choices.
On the financial front, in the first two months alone, Goa collected Rs 75.07 crore, of which Rs 43.24 crore were recorded in January and Rs 34.08 crore in February. Officials confirmed that much of the registration revenue continues to flow from conventional fuel vehicles.
