India’s carbon dioxide emissions are predicted by the Centre for Science and Environment to reach 4.48 Gt by 2030. The Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change has declared the situation to be “Code Red,” and there is growing concern that global temperatures may surpass 1.5°C by the early 2030s. Taking into account the potential hazards, the nation is on track to reduce carbon emissions by a staggering 22% (1 GT) from the projection.
With its level of CO2 emissions, the transportation sector is currently the third largest contributor in the country to the worrying situation. This ambitious goal would call for cross-sector cooperation and cooperation. This is one of the main causes of the increase in demand for electric vehicles, which has led to automakers (suppliers) starting to produce EVs in large quantities to match this need.
EVs offer a wide range of advantages, including fewer maintenance requirements, less reliance on fossil fuels, independence from fuel price increases, and use as a sustainable means of transportation. Additionally, because EVs are similar to automatic vehicles, they are simpler to operate, have a high range on a single charge, extended battery lifespan, and have the convenience of station-based charging.
The government has acknowledged the importance of EVs for sustainability and is supporting both automakers and potential customers with some initiatives. To hasten the deployment of EVs in the nation, the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME II) Scheme has been introduced. The sector is gradually but progressively opening up as a result of the Central Government and various State Governments focusing on increasing the number of charging stations.
Beyond the subsidies, the EV industry. However, the key query is: Will EV be able to survive without Subsidies? Without government assistance, let’s examine the sustainability quotient broadly from the following three perspectives:
Product
Segment for 2-Wheeler Products
Without government subsidies, this is the most sustainable EV market category. This is because inexpensive two-wheelers are perfect for short-distance and intra-city trips. You can still use them even if there is no charging infrastructure available on roads or in urban areas by fully charging them at home or at your workstation.
The cost of two- and three-wheeler EVs is projected to decrease further and become more sustainable as manufacturers adjust to new technologies and market demand. Furthermore, it is more sensible to claim that two-wheeler EVs can become the standard and operate without government help at a time when gasoline prices are continually growing.
3-Wheeler Section
Similar to the two-wheeler category, three-wheelers are more viable in the fight for EV sustenance.
4-Wheeler (Personal Cars)
Four-wheeler cars have a difficult time being profitable over the long term without government subsidies because both the vehicle and the parts that make it up are still quite expensive. Their viability is still in doubt in the absence of government backing due to their excessive price, even though they will require charging infrastructure on highways and at stations, which is not existing on a wide scale. Government efforts should concentrate on building the infrastructure for charging devices and expanding battery swapping stations to boost the future of this market.
Commercial Automobiles
This segment has a higher sustainability quotient because it relied on state and federal transportation authorities. Since the cars stop at their specific stations, the infrastructure for charging may be easily built there. This will work as a successful model for both the vehicle’s intra-city and inter-city commutes.
Infrastructure Support
Now that we are aware of the advantages, let’s examine the elements that can lead to a rise in the number of these vehicles on Indian roads. India must expand its EV-friendly infrastructure. Increasing the number of EV charging stations is the first step in achieving this. To increase the use of EVs in India, these stations also need to include battery-changing capabilities. In a similar vein, charging stations should ideally be required by law in workplace parking lots, business buildings, and residential structures. To establish the infrastructure that enables us to accomplish our shared aim of sustaining EVs in India, it would be necessary for the Government and Private Corporates to work together.
What connectors do
The battery may be responsible for a sizeable portion of EV costs. As a result, reducing tax regulations, offering incentives to automakers, and increasing the domestic supply of batteries and other components will not only support local producers but also lower the price of imports. End users could benefit from the cost savings, and the availability of less expensive vehicles would encourage people to switch.
Giving EVs a boost by making them part of the public transportation system. Ridesharing significantly lowers carbon emissions. Imagine the effect on sustainability if these ride-sharing services could be powered by energy.
Having said that, if the demand doesn’t increase, the supply won’t be raised. To expand its adoption, it is crucial to change customer views and dispel falsehoods. Purchasing electric two-wheelers could be a wonderful place to start if you want to learn how they work. The difference between ICEs and EVs should narrow over time, with the latter paving the way for sustainability, which is now more important than ever.
Electric vehicles (EVs) offer the answer to several significant problems as sustainable development has taken center stage in the effort to address the concerns. According to Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways for the Government of India, there are currently more than 8.7 lakh electric vehicles (EVs) on Indian roads, and by 2030, the country plans to acquire a nearly 30% share of the global market for private vehicles. EVs are rapidly gaining popularity among urban residents due to their environmentally favorable features and rising gasoline prices.
According to a survey conducted by the online car portal CarDekho, 66% of Indians are open to switching to electric vehicles because they are environmentally benign and don’t use conventional fossil fuels. The road to sustainable mobility has already started, but there are some obstacles to overcome.
Issues with the introduction of EVs
The lack of charging infrastructure in India is a significant barrier to the adoption of EVs. The pace of constructing charging infrastructure has picked up since the introduction of state EV laws in Delhi and other states like Gujarat, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala. More than 55% of the nation’s charging stations are distributed across nine cities: Surat, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. To move the nation toward sustainable mobility, equitable charging infrastructure provision is required.
The cost of EVs is yet another significant barrier preventing their widespread adoption in India. For instance, a middle-class person can purchase an old four-wheeler for about 2 lakh rupees, but an electric vehicle can cost up to 10 lakhs and more. State governments are attempting to close this gap with programs like subsidies that lower the cost of EVs. By giving ‘2908 crore to the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME), a national government program to speed up the adoption of EVs, the Indian government has also shown its support for the cause. The amount here is triple what was allocated in the previous fiscal year. It will encourage government innovation and the development of alternative energy infrastructure.
Sustainable EV Business: The future
The Indian electric vehicle market is predicted to develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 90% in this decade and will reach the $150 billion mark by 2030, according to a report by RBSA Advisors. In India, EV sales currently account for 1.85% of all vehicle sales (2020–2021), although they are anticipated to increase dramatically. (Please see the graph below.)
According to predictions from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the number of EV sales worldwide in 2021 has more than tripled compared to the number two years earlier. This indicates that EVs are progressively replacing other forms of transportation around the world.
90% of the 4000 people surveyed by EY, including Indians, are reportedly willing to spend more in the future to get electric vehicles. This demonstrates the community’s commitment and willingness to help alleviate environmental problems.
EV and public transport
According to the Government of the NCT of Delhi’s Socio-Economic Survey, 70% of residents of Delhi commute by public transportation. Sustainable public transportation will aid in popularizing the concept of sustainable mobility. According to the 2011 Census, 18% of people use public transportation to get to work. So choosing environmentally friendly modes of transportation in public transportation would significantly lessen its impact.
The COVID-19-induced pandemic damaged the city’s public transportation system, but it also created the conditions and provided a chance for urban spaces to change. One method is through innovation. By integrating smart electric buses into the city’s public transportation network, Delhi is moving this initiative ahead. The blue e-buses that run on Delhi’s roads are an environmentally friendly option for transportation, and they are fitted with smart QR codes so that users may pay the fare digitally and without making any physical contact. Sustainability should be included in all kinds of transportation, not just one or two.
The majority of public transportation involves flying, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) presents a viable alternative. Airbus has delivered the first sustainable airplane to Indigo, the biggest airline in the nation, and it uses SAF.
Sustainable transportation is a crucial element that can aid cities in achieving SDG 11. Cities must use EVs to do this. They are gradually taking on the role of the face of sustainable mobility, with EV sales in India increasing by 198% over the previous year. Every year, metropolitan areas in India change, as do the available transportation options. The transformation of the nation’s mobility landscape depends on the adoption of the EV business model in both private and public transportation.
With utilities, Gyaanmart energy consultant develops EV-charging programs, EV organizations, distribution planning, new business procedures, consumer engagement initiatives, and charging incentives as part of the preparation for the integration of EVs into their operations. With our experience in the energy and EV industries, our energy consultant can guide you through this quickly changing environment.
Our energy consultant assists clients with all steps of the transition to EVs, from strategic planning and market evaluations to program design and implementation.
Our energy consultant collaborates with our clients to establish and/or realize their goals for the electrification of transportation.
