Is india ready for electric vehicles? | Benefits of Electric Vehicles

Is India ready for electric vehicles?

An electric vehicle (EV) is powered by an electric motor rather than an internal-combustion engine that burns a mixture of gasoline and gases to generate power. As a result, such a vehicle is being considered as a potential replacement for current-generation automobiles to solve issues such as growing pollution, global warming, natural resource depletion, and so on. Even though the concept of electric vehicles has been around for a long time, it has garnered a lot of attention in the last decade as a result of the rising carbon footprint and other environmental implications of gasoline-powered vehicles.

The Current State of Electric Vehicles in India

Electric vehicles (EVs) in India are gaining traction, but there are some hurdles to overcome. While the adoption rate is increasing, EVs still account for a small portion of the overall automobile market. High upfront costs, limited charging infrastructure, and range anxiety are common complications hindering widespread acceptance. However, the Indian government's initiatives, such as the FAME scheme and tax incentives, are promoting EV adoption. Efforts are also being made to expand the charging infrastructure by establishing public and private charging stations. With more automakers introducing electric models, the market is becoming more competitive and innovative. Despite the challenges, India is on a promising path towards embracing electric mobility and reducing carbon emissions.

Example common complication: 

One common complication faced by EV owners is range anxiety, which refers to the fear of running out of battery power before reaching a charging station. This can limit the travel distance and cause anxiety for drivers, especially in areas with limited charging infrastructure. However, the expansion of charging networks and the development of advanced battery technologies are addressing this concern and increasing the confidence of EV users.

Infrastructure Challenges

One of the major challenges for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India is the limited charging infrastructure. While efforts are being made to expand the network, there is still a need for more charging stations across the country. This lack of infrastructure can be a common complication for EV owners, especially during long journeys or in areas where charging stations are scarce. It can lead to range anxiety and inconvenience for drivers who rely on public charging facilities. However, the government and private companies are actively working on setting up more charging stations, including fast-charging options, to address this issue and make EV charging more accessible and convenient for all.

Benefits of Electric Vehicles

Cost Effective: With advent of advance technology and dedicated R&D, both cost and maintenance of electric vehicles has gone down. Government is incentivizing the use of Electric Vehicles by providing subsidies and lower motor taxes on EVs.

Energy Security: As electricity is majorly produced from either renewable sources or from sources that emit no greenhouse gases thus EVs help in maintain energy security by shifting dependence from non- renewable resources to renewable resources.

Less Maintenance: Electric vehicles require less maintenance than conventional vehicles as there are fewer fluids (like oil and transmission fluid) to change and fewer moving parts.

Is India Ready for Electric Vehicles

With 100 per cent FDI available, new production centres , and a greater push to improve charging infrastructure, India's electric vehicle industry is gaining traction. Other growth factors for the Indian EV industry include federal subsidies and policies supporting deeper discounts for Indian-made electric two-wheelers, as well as a boost for localised ACC battery storage manufacture. Furthermore, in September 2021, Cabinet authorised a production-linked incentive programme for the automotive sector to stimulate the manufacture of electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. In 2021, India sold over 300,000 electric vehicles.

What is India Electric Vehicle (EV) Market size in 2027?

According to a survey by India Energy Storage Alliance, the electric vehicle (EV) industry in India is estimated to reach over 63 lakh units per year by 2027. (IESA). According to the results of the analysis, which examines the current state and future prospects of the electric vehicle (EV), EV batteries, and public charging infrastructure markets in the country, demand for batteries will increase significantly during the same time period.

Yes, India is ready:

1. India has been manufacturing indigenously and successfully using Electric Locomotives that pull train coaches with thousands of tons of load. This has not only saved conventional fuel like coal, diesel but has also saved the environment from getting polluted further. Accordingly, manufacturing and using the electric cars is not a big hurdle.
2. According to a report by NITI Aayog,
3. India can save 64% of anticipated passenger road-based mobility-related energy demand and 37% of carbon emissions in 2030 by pursuing a shared, electric, and connected mobility future

No, India is not ready:

1. More Indians prefer petrol, diesel or gas driven cars. They do not seem to be ready to buy and use the electric cars due to their slow pick up, slow speed and non-availability of electric charging centres in the vicinity of their area.
2. As per the data of Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles, only 22,000 units of EVs were sold in India by March 2016, of which 2,000 were four wheelers. At the same time, sales of electric cars grew at a staggering rate of 94% from 2011 to 2015 worldwide, led by China, US, and Europe.