Abstract:

A large-scale switch to electric vehicles would help achieve numerous sustainable development goals (SDGs). EVs are being supported around the world. As electric vehicles share a strong linkage with multiple SDGs, India aims to achieve a 30% electric vehicle (EV) share by the year 2030 under the EV30@30 Campaign. The projected transition to EVs would: a) reduce consumption of petroleum fuels currently used for road transportation; b) shift the consumer demand from internal combustion engine-based automobiles to EVs; and c) require additional electricity and network of charging infrastructure for energizing EVs. These changes are going to affect multiple stakeholders in different ways. This paper is a modest attempt to capture the projected transition to EVs in India and its impact on the stakeholders. Impact assessment of stakeholders under various scenarios highlights that the transition will be challenging for central and state governments, the petroleum sector, and the automobile industry, whereas for the electricity sector, it is expected to open new investment and business opportunities. This report suggests stakeholder collaboration, a reform of the automobile sector, and the imposition of green/pollution levies on extra products and services to ensure a smooth transition to EVs. India's automobile sector can take use of its enormous domestic market to form partnerships and joint ventures with pioneers in the field of electric vehicle manufacture, eventually learning and building its own EV skills.