Abstract:

In several non-Annex 1 nations, including India, battery-electric vehicles (BEV) have become the preferred technology solution to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. GHG mitigation potentials of electric 4-wheelers in India depend critically on when and where they are charged: 40% reduction in the north-eastern states and more than 15% increase in the eastern/western regions today, with higher overall GHGs emitted when charged overnight and in the summer. Self-charging gasoline-electric hybrids can lead to 33% GHG reductions, though they haven’t been fully considered a mitigation option in India. Electric 2-wheelers can already enable a 20% reduction in GHG emissions, given their small battery size and superior efficiency. India’s electrification plan demands up to 125GWh of annual battery capacities by 2030, nearly 10% of projected worldwide productions. India requires phased electrification with a near-term focus on 2-wheelers and a clear trajectory to phase-out coal-power for an organized mobility transition.