Electric Cars – The Solution to Rising Pollution in India?

There is a massive change happening in the global auto industry with a rapid transition to electric vehicles. Innovations and technological breakthroughs are acting as strong catalysts for this growth. India is fast adapting to this change too. The country announced a goal to transition from new sales of petrol and diesel vehicles to 100% electric vehicles by 2030. The Union Minister for Heavy Industries Mahendra Nath Pandey mentioned that the country’s transition to Electric Mobility System can save Rs.20 lakh crore by 2030 on oil imports itself. The Indian Government has enacted various schemes like FAME India II, PLI Scheme, and National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell for advancing the country’s progress on the EV path. These schemes have cost more than Rs. 54,000 crores to the Indian government and focus on incentivizing the manufacturing of high technology automobile and auto components, providing upfront subsidies, and creating sufficient EV charging infrastructure in India.

The growth of shared electric mobility also presents a huge opportunity for India. Around 20 states in India have already come out with their state-level electric vehicle policy.  These include the replacement of public transport buses in cities, creating sufficient charging infrastructure, establishing public awareness campaigns, etc. Delhi is emerging as India’s EV capital. Electric vehicles were the second-most bought vehicles (more than ~9,500) in Delhi during the September-November quarter. EV adoption in Delhi has risen to 9% in the quarter. The Delhi government also announced that decade-old cars will be allowed to run in the city only when engines are swapped with electric drivetrains. Delhi also became the first state in the country to fully exempt road tax and registration fees for all new EVs registered in the city. The Indian capital also vows to run ~300 electric buses by January 2022. Taking Delhi’s cue, Maharashtra has committed to start deregistering petrol and diesel vehicles and completely ban them from 2030. The state aims to run ~146,000 new battery-operated electric vehicles by 2025. Andhra Pradesh and Chandigarh are also trying to phase out diesel and petrol-based fleets by 2030.

Thinking of Buying an Electric Car in India! Here’s a list that could help you Decide