Strategic insights into India’s electric vehicle sector through supply chain challenges, innovations, and policy frameworks

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in India is central to sustainable mobility, carbon emission mitigation, and energy security achievement. In spite of large-scale government initiatives and policies such as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme, the Indian EV market is still in its nascent stage, plagued by infrastructure shortages, technological issues, high capital investment, and low consumer awareness. Scholarly literature has under-emphasized systematic examination of sustainable supply chain management practices, socio-economic impacts, and end-to-end environmental lifecycle evaluation, which remains a vital knowledge gap. In this review, articles from 2013 to 2025 are systematically compiled, on the basis of peer-reviewed articles from databases Scopus and aligned case studies, categorized into thematic domains. The review critically explores gaps in infrastructure, technological advancements, financial management, and sustainability initiatives, as well as the critical identification of key challenges and opportunities in the Indian EV supply chain. Findings indicate glaring gaps in infrastructure and technology in battery manufacturing, charging infrastructure availability, and raw material procurement. In spite of promising technological advances in solar-powered charging infrastructure and improved battery technology, scalability is still a significant concern. Strategic adoption of green supply chain management practices, recycling and waste management, and recycling upgradation are proposed as imperative. Policy suggestions are aimed at strengthening charging infrastructure through the integration of renewable energy, increasing financial incentives, transparency of regulatory norms, and participative public-private partnerships.