07 Dec ELECTRIC VEHICLES-PROMISING FUTURE TO INDIA’S TRANSPORT SECTOR. GS- 3 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY & INFRASTRUCTURE

ELECTRIC VEHICLES-PROMISING FUTURE TO INDIA’S TRANSPORT SECTOR. GS- 3 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY & INFRASTRUCTURE- Today Current Affairs

India’s vision for future mobility is based on 7C’s: Common,Connected, Convenient,Congestion free, Charge clean and Cutting edge. As per the report of niti aayog electrical vehicles are the future of India’s transportations system and could save billions of dollars in fuel cost while also reducing pollution given the rising number of automobile consumers, electrical vehicles seems to be a viable option as it will prevent the increase in conjunction of conventional fuels and  will pave the way towards achieving India’s net zero emission by 2070.

Why is there a need for electrical vehicles in India?

• Climate change-India’s Cop25 Paris commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emission intensity by 33% to 35% below 2005 level by 2030 and India’s Cop26 Glasgow committed to net zero emission by 2070.

• Energy security-India’s import 80% of the transport fuel which produces forex in addition to carbon emission.

• Innovation-if India gets well equipped in electric vehicles manufacturing capacity, then it will become competitive at the global level.

• Employment– promotion of electric vehicles and creation of its manufacturing base will facilitate employment growth in this sunrise sector.

• Infrastructure– given a proper infrastructure support a majority of car owners will switch to electric cars. It will also require a long term policy priority to scale up lithium battery production and solar charging infrastructure.

     Government initiative: The Hindu Analysis

1. Government has set the target of manufacturing electric vehicles up to 30% of new sales of car and two vehicles by 2030

2. National electric mobility mission plan(NEMMP) and faster adoption and manufacturing of hybrid electric vehicles (FAME) has been launched to build a sustainable electric vehicles ecosystem.

3. NEMMP was launched to achieve National fuel security by promoting hybrid and electric vehicles.

4. Fame India scheme was launched with the aim to support hybrid electric vehicle markets system and manufacturing ecosystem.

5. The second phase of FAME India scheme will support electrification of public and shared transportation through subsidised electric vehicles including buses, passenger cars and two wheelers.

6. Charging of electric vehicles batteries has been categorised as services that will help charging stations operate without license.

7. Smart cities will also use the growth of electric vehicles.

      Challenges:

1. India lacks the requisite technology for the production of electronics like batteries, semiconductor, controllers etc.that act as the backbone of EV industry.

2. The servicing cost of electric vehicles are higher which further involves higher level of skills, but India lacks a dedicated training course or such skill development.

3. Electric vehicles are expensive and its charging is also time-consuming

4. Lack of charging stations as per 2018 report the number is only 650.

5. Being a capital intensive sector, it requires a long term planning but uncertainty in government policies might discourage investment in the industry.

6. The battery production requires lithium Cobalt for which India is dependent on other countries which inhibits India’s aim of Atma- nirbhar Bharat.

    Way forward:

1. There is a need to shift focus from vehicle subsidy to battery subsidy, because batteries constituted 50% of electric vehicle cost.

2. The  use of electric two vehicles should be incentivised as it accounts for 75% of the vehicle and consumes most of the fuel.

3. Charging points should be made available at public places like bus depot tech parks and multiplexes.

4. Investment in charging stations should be made a part of CSR compliance.

5. They should be encouraged for private investment in battery and manufacturing plants and in low cost production technology.

6. For long-term planning in this capital intensive sector a policy road map is required.

7. It is important to acquire lithium fields in Bolivia, Austria and Chile as it is an important raw material to manufacture batteries for electric vehicles.

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Anshum Verma

Plutus IAS Current Affairs Team Member