e-Mobility is going to be the future mode of transport with greater efficiency and less impact on the environment

India has the potential of becoming the largest Electric Vehicle market in the world, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said on Friday. The government is working towards making India a global automobile manufacturing hub in the next five years, he pointed out.

Addressing the virtual ‘Electric Mobility Conference 2020’, organized by FICCI Karnataka State Council, Gadkari said, “The future is very bright and India has the potential to become the largest Electric Vehicle (EV) market in the world as the government continues to push for EV adoption.”

Gadkari further noted that the government is working towards making an e-Highway on Delhi and Mumbai Expressway where e-buses and trucks would run.

“We are going ahead with a pilot project; the Delhi-Mumbai corridor will become the lifeline of India and we plan to install new electric roads. Electricity as a fuel is available in the country, hence mass rapid transport on electricity is the most important solution for the country,” he said.

Noting that Indian manufacturers can make efficient EVs, which can not only create more jobs but also provide opportunities for exports, the Minister said, “e-Mobility is going to be the future mode of transport with greater efficiency and less impact on the environment. Import of crude oil and air pollution are two major concerns for the country. We need to have an integrated approach for EVs.”

Gadkari called upon the automobile industry to reduce the cost of the EVs so that the sale number goes up and as the sale goes up the industry would also gain. He stressed that the quality of the vehicles should also be maintained.

Referring to the NITI Aayog report, Gadkari said that India needs a minimum of 10 GWs per hour of cells by 2022, which will be expanded to 50 GWs by 2025. “We need to encourage the manufacturing of these cells in India. I urge the industry to think about manufacturing e-batteries in the country. We need to have a policy that promotes cost-effectiveness, and substitute import, pollution-free and indigenous,” he emphasized.

The Minister urged everyone to adopt eco-friendly mobility solutions. “I hope to see cleaner and more sustainable innovation from the industry as we move towards a greener tomorrow,” he said.

He also emphasized promoting the use of biofuels like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and informed that he would soon launch tractors run on Bio-CNG.

Speaking at the event, Chairman, FICCI Karnataka State Council. Ullas Kamath said, “FICCI strongly feels that India must continue to encourage EVs along with all other Electrified Vehicle technologies, such as Plug-in Hybrid EV, Strong Hybrid EVs & Fuel Cell EVs along with electrification of the transport sector to lessen air pollution, achieve fuel security and technology leadership in this sector.

“Karnataka is one of the first movers in adopting EV technology and had announced the policy in 2017 and is planning to set up an EV Cluster for companies who want to invest in this sector,” he added.

The Chairman of the FICCI EV Committee, Shekhar Viswanathan, said that the advent of GST and subsequent reduction for EVs shows that the government is fully supportive.