Abstract:

The global automobile fleet is rapidly transitioning away from fossil fuels. India has shown its desire, but it lacks a consistent strategy and road map. The Cabinet has approved a mission on electric mobility to be led by the NITI Aayog. According to the Vahan Dashboard website of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, while battery-powered EVs accounted for 0.05 percent of new vehicle sales in 2015, total EV sales, including hybrids, increased sevenfold between 2015 and 2017—from 10,321 in 2015 to 72,482 in 2017. India is currently estimated to have 0.4 million electric two-wheelers and 0.1 million E-rickshaws, and only a few thousand electric cars. Electric vehicles (EVs) are the best choice for reducing air pollution, improving energy security, and mitigating the impact of climate change. According to official projections, India could save 64% of energy demand for road transport, 37% of carbon emissions, and $60 billion in diesel and gasoline costs by 2030 if aggressive EVs are adopted. As the policy targets for EVs begin to get more ambitious in India, the automobile industry asks for a clear roadmap. EV strategy will need demand incentives, subsidies and regulatory mandate. A successful EV strategy would require demand incentives, subsidies, and regulatory mandates.