Atmanirbhar Bharat: Riding towards self-reliance

In recent years, the global push towards sustainable development and the need to combat climate change have placed Electric Vehicles (EVS) at the forefront of transportation solutions. Here is how India is progressing towards self-reliance in the EV manufacturing sector.

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The government’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ aims to foster self-reliance across various sectors, including the EV landscape. Further, India’s involvement as the only developing nation in the coveted Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), a US-led collaboration of 14 countries that aims to catalyse public and private investment in critical mineral supply chains, adds to its advantage. The recent milestone of discovering significant lithium reserves in Rajasthan further strengthens India’s position in the EV market. Additionally, India has witnessed increasing adoption of EVs, with over 100,000-unit monthly sales during the first half of CY2023. This feat highlights the growing understanding and traction among consumers toward EVs. The Indian government’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2070 is yet another significant step in promoting a sustainable and self-reliant future.

Localisation of the EV supply chain

Promoting the localisation of the EV supply chain is a vital step towards self-reliance. The government, in collaboration with private sector stakeholders, should focus on developing a robust ecosystem of domestic suppliers for raw materials, components and spare parts.

Accelerating EV technology

Investment in Research and Development (R&D) is essential for driving innovation and indigenous development of EV technology. While the government’s efforts are aligned in the direction of facilitating public–private partnerships and supporting academic and research institutions to conduct cutting-edge research in battery technology, electric powertrains and materials science, the journey has just begun and needs acceleration.