In a significant move to combat fossil fuel consumption and mitigate emissions, India is intensifying its efforts to facilitate the economical production and adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Approved in October 2018 during the first meeting of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC), the Electric Vehicle Mission aims to tailor EV sub-systems and components to meet Indian requirements. This mission supports the swift adoption of electric vehicles by making their usage viable across the nation.
India’s current automobile market is predominantly fueled by fossil fuels, prompting the government to set ambitious goals for electric mobility. The National Electric Mobility Plan (NEMMP) 2020 envisioned achieving 6-7 million annual sales of hybrid and electric vehicles starting from 2020. Programs like FAME-II and the Advanced Chemistry Cell PLI Schemes offer incentives to consumers for purchasing EVs and to manufacturers for producing EVs, batteries, and storage systems. Moreover, the Green Hydrogen Mission aims to boost fuel cell manufacturing, advancing the use of green hydrogen in decarbonizing the transport sector.
The Indian government has set an ambitious target of 30% EV penetration by 2030. The vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047 requires a robust R&D landscape to create a self-reliant domestic EV ecosystem. To this end, the Principal Scientific Adviser’s Office established the Core Group on e-Mobility (CGeM) in August 2022, chaired by Prof. Ajay K. Sood. This expert panel from government, academia, and industry aims to develop an “E-Mobility Basic R&D Roadmap for Surface Transportation.”
The CGeM’s initial priorities include creating an R&D roadmap for surface transportation and e-mobility, and a technical roadmap for Zero Emission Trucking (ZET). Released in March 2023, this technical roadmap details the methodologies for developing ZET pilots, product innovations, field research, and the regulatory frameworks needed for ZET integration. A comparative study of ZET technologies along the Delhi-Jaipur Corridor, with RMI as a knowledge partner, has also been conducted. This study examines the costs and operational dynamics of various ZET technologies, aiding in the selection of appropriate technologies for infrastructure development.
On July 16, 2024, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India will launch the “E-Mobility R&D Roadmap.” This document outlines the technical areas and research projects that require immediate action over the next five years to reduce the nation’s dependence on petroleum and coal imports. Strengthening R&D capabilities within the automotive sector is essential to curtail the current reliance on imports and to make India a global leader in innovative mobility solutions. The roadmap is a vital step towards achieving energy independence by 2047 and realizing the EV30@2030 targets set by the government.
