How New India is electrifying its vehicles & public transport in its Amrit Kaal?

Prime Minister Modi demonstrates resolute commitment to achieving net zero emissions. Through transformative policies, renewable energy investments, and sustainable practices, he steers the country’s course towards a greener future, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and secure a cleaner, more sustainable planet. As stated by Indiaat COP-26 that it will obtain 50% of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030. It has set a ‘Net Zero’ target for 2070.

According to studies, vehicles annually contribute about 290 gigagrams (Gg) of PM2. 5. At the same time, around 8% of total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions in India are from the transport sector, and in Delhi, it exceeds 30%. As per the study India today was the world’s fourth most significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter – contributing 7.08 per cent of all global emissions in 2021.

Amrit Kaal defines new India’s vision to be a developed nation in 2047. When India is growing at a record pace in its amrit kaal, it also focuses on reducing the carbon footprints of which one of the major sources are vehicles. The electric vehicles – EV revolution is transforming the world’s vehicular data rapidly and simultaneously is contributing in reducing carbon footprints at large. When the world is gradually adopting EVs, how can the global torchbearer for net zero emission be lacking in the race? The government of India came up with policies and initiatives to create awareness that boosts the EV revolution in the country and puts India on the global EV leaderboard in its amrit kaal involving the public transport as well as the private vehicles. 

A total of 2.5+ Million EVs have been sold in the country over the past nine-and-a-half years out of which 19.7 Million have been sold in the past 30 months. 25+ states have notified or drafted their EV policy, 380 electric vehicles manufacturers operate in India, 1800 electric vehicle charging stations have already been installed, 133% growth has been observed in the sales of EVs from FY15 to Fy20, 2656.62 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide emission has been reduced and 1.32% of all vehicle sales in Fy 21-22 were electric. These are the game changing initiatives by the government of India to electrify its public transport and vehicles in new India’s Amrit Kaal:

E-Amrit

E-Amrit serves as a one-stop solution for all information about electric vehicles, dispelling myths about their uptake, purchases, investment opportunities, regulations, subsidies, and other topics. The portal was created and is maintained by NITI Aayog as part of the UK-India Joint Roadmap 2030, which was agreed by the prime ministers of both nations and is a collaborative information sharing program.

The goal of E-Amrit is to support government efforts to educate the public about EVs and the advantages of converting to electric vehicles. India has recently undertaken a number of steps to quicken the country’s adoption of electric mobility and the decarbonization of transportation.

This portal has some interesting tools which help in suggesting best options to buy an electric vehicle, guides to start EV business, calculate electric vehicles benefits, find charging stations and much more which drives a transformation in the EV sector across the country.

FAME

The Ministry of Heavy Industries is putting the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme Phase-II into action for a period of five years starting on April 1, 2019, with a total budgetary contribution of Rs. 10,000 crore. This phase intends to support through demand incentives 7090 eBuses, 5 lakh e-3 Wheelers, 55000 e-4 Wheeler Passenger Cars, and 10 lakh e-2 Wheelers in order to support the electrification of public & shared transportation. In addition, the Scheme provides funding for the development of charging infrastructure.

A total of 175 registered and revalidated models, 56 registered OEMs and 8.32+ lakh vehicles are sold as of July 2023 under FAME-II scheme. Under the Phase-I of the FAME India Scheme, the Ministry of Heavy Industries had approved 520 Charging Stations/Infrastructure. Under Phase II of the FAME IndiaScheme, this Ministry has also approved 2,877 electric vehicle charging stations in 68 cities across 25 States and UTs, as well as 1,576 charging stations along 9 expressways and 16 highways. The three Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) have been granted Rs. 800 crore as capital subsidies for the construction of 7,432 public charging stations for electric vehicles.

As on February 2023, a total of 3738 electric buses have been sanctioned to 15 states and UTs states and 2435 have been delivered under FAME II scheme.

PLI Scheme

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automotive Sector:The Government on 15th Sep., 2021 approved the PLI Scheme for Automotive Sector with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 25,938 crores. Electric vehicles are covered under this PLI scheme.

PLI Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC): The Government on 12thMay, 2021 approved PLI Scheme for manufacturing of ACC in the country with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 18,100 crore. The scheme envisages establishing a competitive ACC battery manufacturing set up in the country for 50 GWh. Additionally, 5GWh of niche ACC technologies is also covered under the Scheme.

Conclusion

India’s Amrit Kaal is witnessing the transformations which were never thought before. As it looks forward to be net zero emitter by 2070, these initiatives are going to be catalyst of realising this vision at large. This initiative by the government will helpful for ecology but simultaneously it will also boost the economy and the employment in the country.