INDIA POISED FOR A LEAP IN ELECTRIC MOBILITY

In a bid to go green, the government is targeting the year 2030 by which it plans to go all-electric in terms of new car sales in the country. In its National Electric Mobility Mission Plan, the government hopes to get at least six to seven million electric vehicles on the road by 2020.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari has said that India is poised for a leap in Electric Mobility. He was addressing a press conference in the capital after inaugurating the electric vehicle chargers- slow and fast charging-at an event, ‘Charging the Drive’ held at the NITI Aayog premises. The event, “Charging the Drive,” was also attended by NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant and members Ramesh Chand, Professor V K Saraswat and V K Paul.

In a bid to go green, the government is targeting the year 2030 by which it plans to go all-electric in terms of new car sales in the country. In its National Electric Mobility Mission Plan, the government hopes to get at least six to seven million electric vehicles on the road by 2020.

While speaking on the occasion, Minister Gadkari said, “Providing charging points for electric vehicles is the biggest problem for us. This is just a beginning. ” Further he said, “This is the beginning of a historical and revolutionary era. We spend Rs seven lakh crores for importing crude oil in India, which is big trouble for India’s economy. It is important for our country to have import substitute which is cost-effective, pollution-free and indigenous.” He said, “Aajkaprayas economy ko strong karega, imports substitution karega, pollution kam ho gaa ur rozgaar badhegi”.

“In the upcoming years, the mobility in India would be cheaper and pollution free. Besides battery, Ethanol and Methanol are the best alternative of petroleum products.”

In addition to that, the minister claimed that the transport ministry has been planning to provide battery charging points at petrol pumps.

Three leading EV charging companies including a Indian have installed their charging points at NITI Aayog premises, ABB India Limited, Exicom and Chargepoint.

So, what are EV charging points? As the name suggests, they are stations which will be set up in cities across the country to facilitate battery swapping charging for vehicles. NTPC Ltd, India’s largest power generation utility, has been tasked with setting up a blueprint for the project. Other energy public sector undertakings are also likely to be roped in to help build infrastructure. Government-owned Energy Efficiency Services Ltd, meanwhile, is incharge of inviting bids for bulk supply of electric and hybrid cars for central government ministries and public sector undertakings in Delhi.

Urging manufacturers to enter the field and “reap the benefits of his burgeoning sector”, Gadkari added, “As we have inaugurated the electric charging stations and electric vehicles, the manufacturers are now in race of competition on large scale that who will bring it first.”

Gadkari said that 200 electric taxis are already on road in his Lok Sabha constituency, Nagpur district in Maharashtra. Interestingly, thanks to cab aggregator Ola, Nagpur is the first city in India which is equipped with battery swapping and charging stations. It was initiated by the company for a pilot project. There are only around 100 charging points installed across the country today.

“The price of these cars are also going to reduce soon. The manufacturer who brings the best quality at the lowest price will earn the most,” Gadkar said.

Another attraction  was 17 electric vehicles, on display at NITI Aayog.

Hero Eco’s Photon Lithium bikes, Okinawa’s Praise and Ridge scooters, Lohia’s Oma Star Li two-wheeler and Comfort Plus e-rikshaw, Shigan’s Green Rick Super (Passenger) & Green Cart (Garbage loader) raised the Make-in-India flag high and showcased the path to a vibrant electrically mobile future in India. The Hyundai Ioniq, the Mahindra eVerito, the Nissan Leaf, the E Tigor, Magic EV, Iris EV and Electric bus by TATA Motors were prominent show-stealers.

India’s EV push comes in line with a global trend, following countries like Norway, the Netherlands and France who are working towards permitting only sales of EVs in the future.