GS-III Paper: Going Electric: On plans To switch to Electric Vehicles.

Electric Vehicles:

• An electric vehicle uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion.
• An electric vehicle may be powered through the self-contained battery, solar panels or an electric generator to convert fuel to electricity.

Need For EVs in India :

Climate change

Problem of rapid global temperature increase has created the need for a reduction in the use of fossil fuels and the associated emissions.

India has committed to cutting its GHG emissions intensity by 33% to 35% percent below 2005 levels by 2030.

Rapid urbanization

Economic development leads to rapid urbanization in emerging nations as rural populations move non-agricultural sectors in cities creating environmental problems.According to a recent study by WHO, India is home to 14 out of 20 most polluted cities in the world. EVs will help in tackling this problem by reducing local concentrations of pollutants in cities.

Energy security

India imports oil to cover over 80 per cent of its transport fuel.

EVs can reduce dependence on imported crude oil promoting India’s energy security.

Innovation

It will encourage cutting-edge technology in India through adoption, adaptation, and research and development.

EVs manufacturing capacity will promote global scale and competitiveness.

Employment

The promotion of EVs will facilitate employment growth in a sun-rise sector.

Clean and Low carbon Energy

The shift towards renewable energy sources has led to cost reduction from better electricity-generating technologies. This has introduced the possibility of clean, low-carbon and inexpensive grids.

Challenges for EV Industry in India:

Lack of a stable policy for EV production: EV production is capital intensive sector requiring long term planning to break even and profit realization, uncertainty in government policies related to EV production discourages investment in the industry.

Technological challenges: India is technologically deficient in the production of electronics that form the backbone of the EV industry, such as batteries, semiconductors, controllers, etc.

Lack of associated infrastructural support: The lack of clarity over AC versus DC charging stations, grid stability and range anxiety (fear that battery will soon run out of power) are other factors that hinder the growth of the EV industry.

Government Initaitives:

• Government has set a target of electric vehicles making up 30 % of new sales of cars and two-wheelers by 2030 from less than 1% today.
• To build a sustainable EV ecosystem initiatives like – the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) and Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric vehicles in India (FAME India) have been launched by India.
• Organizations like the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Department of Heavy Industry, and Automotive Research Association of India are devising design and manufacturing standards of EVs, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSEs) & charging infrastructure to smoothen the advent of in-house production of EVs.