EVs Can Acclerate Climate Action

Sustainability and climate change have emerged as the right discussion points at the Conference of Parties (COP) summit in Dubai.

The COP28, hosted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is also expected to witness case studies by countries which could prove instrumental in tackling climate change and issues affecting humanity. The discourse on climate change is expected to accelerate and gain prominence, with recent research indicating a rise in surface temperature.

According to the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (NASA), surface temperatures have consistently increased in the last century, and these have already threatened plans to restrict temperatures by 1.5 degrees Celsius as envisaged ahead of the Paris conventions.

Notably, the global atmospheric emissions database research report finds a 71 percent increase in carbon dioxide levels between 2022-1990. India, which is the world's fastest-growing economy (2023, CLSA report), has also been a host of a COP conference. More importantly, India's EV sector has been a hotbed of innovations which could enable the country in tackle climate change and pollution.

REVOLUTIONARY: ELECTRIC VEHICLES 

EVs could enable India to solve two major challenges. First, tackle emissions, and second, arrest pollution. Despite being the world’s fastest economy, India ranks third on the emissions database for the global atmospheric research 2023 report, at 3.9 BMTPA (billion metric tonnes per annum). Globally, the transportation sector accounts for a quarter of all emissions. Simply switching to electric vehicles could help control windpipe emissions—those toxic fumes that make our cities unbreathable.

When it comes to pollution, a 2023 modelling study published in the peer-reviewed medical journal ‘The BMJ’ claims a startling statistic: India’s air pollution was estimated to have at 2.18 million deaths per year. The maximum deaths from pollution attributed to particulate matter, ozone air pollution, and, more importantly, fossil fuel emissions was highest in China, followed by India.

EVs are truly revolutionary because, unlike traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, they run on electric power, resulting in lower air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

By reducing dependence on fossil fuels, EVs play a crucial role in curbing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigating climate change. Additionally, the transition to electric mobility encourages the integration of renewable energy sources, further decreasing environmental impact. The overall effect is cleaner air, improved public health, and a substantial step towards achieving sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation systems.

SETTING ELECTRIC INFRASTRUCTURE

Often, the contention among ICE versus EV experts is whether India needs additional chargers or better consumer awareness. Very few appreciate that the evolution of electric vehicles predates the innovation of Henry Ford’s moving assembly line or the Model T, and India’s fascination with electric vehicles goes as back as 1993—KD Jose’s Lovebird in Chalakkudy, Kerala.

Although the EV numbers may not seem comparable with how many conventional vehicles get sold each year, the numbers are consistent. According to data from Vahan, the portal of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), over a million electric vehicles were registered in the nine months of 2023 alone. Speak of infrastructure, India already had 6,586 public charging stations (419 of them on highways), and by 2030 it is expected to add more power stations to meet the projected demand of 30 crore EVs.

Although the projected number of EVs may seem like a significant target, the growing ecosystem penetration has been encouraging. Private players in India have encouraged battery swapping technology as well as the growth of fast chargers. Besides, cities in India have encouraged the adoption of EVs by provisioning smart-grid technologies to ensure smart power distribution.

Some fast chargers and networks have enabled advanced software for monitoring and managing charging networks, along with mobile applications for user convenience. Besides, the vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology has already been implemented as part of a pilot by several players, which enables bidirectional energy flow between EVs and the grid.

GREEN REVOLUTION 2.0

If India’s first green revolution in the 1960s pioneered modern industrial farm practises, then the second iteration will see the country revolutionise EVs. A major reason for this revolution would be the enriching use cases in allied sectors such as transportation and farming. In the commercial transportation sector, players such as Piaggio, Tata, Mahindra, and Bajaj have met commercial success. Piaggio recently reported having sold 26,000 units in the last four years, from 2019.

Amazon has reportedly deployed over 6,000 electric vehicles across 400 cities of India as part of its sustainable last-mile delivery practise. It aspires to increase its electric fleet to over 10,000 vehicles by 2025.

Better advancements in battery technology and the maturity of technology are reasons for increased consumer activity in the sector. This enthusiasm is likely to increase in the wake of partnerships, collaborations, and encouraging government policies. Positive factors such as Tesla's proposal to double auto component imports from India will not only boost the image but also provide credible OEMs and vendors to existing EV manufacturers in the country.

In addition to addressing pollution, the widespread adoption of EVs contributes to a green future by reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This shift aligns with India's ambitious renewable energy targets, promoting cleaner and more sustainable energy sources. The integration of EVs into the energy ecosystem creates opportunities for smart grid technologies and decentralised power generation, fostering a resilient and eco-friendly energy infrastructure. The ride to a sustainable future is rightfully one made on an electric vehicle.

(Hirdesh Thakur, Executive Director, EKA Mobility.)