Mission Electric 2032

Exploring the past, present and future of electric vehicles in India, after the government’s recent plans to go all-electric by 2032.

- Alshaar Khan

Imagine a future that is driven by clean energy, with zero-emission automobiles ruling the roost; this would considerably lower the fuel import bill and running costs of automotives as well. At least that’s what the government envisions, because the Ministry of Heavy Industries’ most influential think-tank, NITI Ayog, unveiled a policy in May aimed at electrifying all vehicles by the end of 2032.

According to the 90-page report, the government needs to start working on opening a battery plant by the end of next year, and invest the money coming in from petrol and diesel tax revenues, to set up charging stations for electric vehicles across the country. It also recommends lower taxes and loan interest rates on electric vehicles, while capping the sales of fuel-run cars. But is that all that it would take to fully electrify the country’s automobile market?

WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON?

As things stand currently, Mahindra & Mahindra remains the only full-fledged player in the country’s EV market, and more concerted efforts are needed to realise the dream of going all electric by the end of the next decade, believes automotive road tester Abhay Verma from ZigWheels. “Founded by a private outfit in Bengaluru, Reva was the flag bearer of India’s initial tryst with EVs. The latest electric product from the stables of Mahindra (which acquired the company), the e2o Plus, can also be considered a manifestation of the same design,” he said.