Do You Think India is EV Ready

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular worldwide, and India is no exception. With the government's push towards EVs and the increasing awareness of the benefits of electric mobility, there has been a significant increase in the adoption of EVs in India. However, the question remains, is India EV ready? To answer this question, let us first look at the current state of EV adoption in India.

According to a report by the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV), India sold over 143,000 EVs in FY 2020-21, a significant increase from the previous year's sales of around 3,400 units. However, this number is still very low compared to the total number of vehicles sold in India, which is expected to be around 2.4 million units in FY 2021-22. One of the major reasons for the slow adoption of EVs in India is the lack of charging infrastructure. While the government has announced various schemes to promote EV charging infrastructure, the progress has been slow. According to a report by BloombergNEF, India has only 450 public charging stations as of February 2021, compared to China's 800,000 and the US's 100,000 public charging stations. The lack of charging infrastructure is a significant barrier to the adoption of EVs in India. Unlike petrol/diesel vehicles, EVs need to be charged regularly, and the availability of charging stations is critical.

The government needs to incentivize private players to invest in EV charging infrastructure, which will not only help in the adoption of EVs but also create employment opportunities. Another factor that affects EV adoption in India is the cost. EVs are more expensive than conventional vehicles due to the high cost of batteries. However, with the government's push towards EVs, there has been a significant reduction in the cost of EVs in recent years. The introduction of the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles) scheme has led to a reduction in the cost of EVs by providing subsidies to buyers. The FAME scheme has been extended until March 2024 and is expected to further reduce the cost of EVs in India.

Additionally, the government has reduced the GST (Goods and Services Tax) on EVs from 12% to 5%, making them more affordable for consumers. The lack of awareness among consumers about the benefits of EVs is another significant barrier to adoption. Many consumers still believe that EVs are not as powerful as petrol/diesel vehicles, have limited range, and take a long time to charge. However, this is not true, and EVs are becoming increasingly powerful, with longer ranges and faster charging times. The government needs to create awareness campaigns to educate consumers about the benefits of EVs, such as lower running costs, reduced pollution, and a smoother driving experience.

The government can also promote EVs by using them in public transport systems, such as buses and taxis, which will create visibility and increase awareness among the general public. The government's push towards EVs has also led to the development of a domestic EV industry in India. Many domestic and international players are investing in the manufacturing of EVs and components in India. This has led to the creation of employment opportunities and the development of skills in the EV sector. However, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed for India to become EV ready.

One of the biggest challenges is the lack of a standardized charging infrastructure. There are currently different types of charging connectors used by different manufacturers, making it challenging for consumers to charge their vehicles at public charging stations. The government needs to standardize the charging infrastructure to ensure that consumers can charge their vehicles at any charging station regardless of the manufacturer.