Indian carmakers Tata Motors and Mahindra have ranked as the world’s most energy-efficient electric vehicle manufacturers in 2025, according to a new international comparison of battery-operated EVs.
The study, based on data from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) and charted by Rest of World, compared the average energy consumption of battery electric vehicles across the world’s 22 largest automakers. The analysis adjusted energy consumption figures for vehicle weight to make the results comparable across manufacturers.
Tata Motors recorded the lowest average energy consumption at roughly 103 Wh/km, while Mahindra followed at around 109 Wh/km. Both companies ranked ahead of global EV leaders Tesla and BYD, which posted higher energy consumption figures in the 2025 analysis.
Energy consumption, measured in watt-hours per kilometre, is a key indicator of EV efficiency. Lower figures mean a vehicle requires less electricity to travel the same distance, which can translate into lower running costs and improved range under comparable conditions.
The rankings showed Tesla at approximately 118 Wh/km and BYD at about 125 Wh/km, with several Japanese, Chinese, European and American manufacturers recording higher energy consumption levels.
The ICCT analysis suggests that Indian manufacturers have made progress in designing lighter and more energy-efficient electric vehicles, particularly in the compact and mid-size segments that dominate the domestic market. Industry analysts have often pointed to India’s emphasis on affordability, urban driving conditions and smaller vehicle platforms as factors that can contribute to lower energy use.
The findings do not necessarily mean that Tata or Mahindra outperform every Tesla or BYD model on efficiency. The study compares average energy consumption across each manufacturer’s battery electric vehicle lineup after adjusting for weight, rather than ranking individual vehicles.
The chart also shows changes from 2024 to 2025, with several manufacturers improving efficiency over the past year. Indian manufacturers remained at the top of the rankings in both years.
For Tata Motors and Mahindra, the result adds to growing international attention on India’s EV industry as local manufacturers expand their electric vehicle portfolios. Both companies have increased investment in electric mobility, battery technology and dedicated EV platforms over the past few years.
The ICCT is an independent research organisation that studies transport emissions and vehicle efficiency, and its work is widely used by policymakers and industry researchers. Rest of World, which published the chart, highlighted the weight-adjusted comparison to provide a consistent measure across global automakers.
The rankings come as automakers worldwide face increasing pressure to improve EV efficiency through lighter designs, better aerodynamics, improved battery management systems and more efficient powertrains. As competition intensifies across global EV markets, energy efficiency is becoming a more prominent measure alongside battery size, range and charging speed.
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