The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) and the COP26 President, Alok Sharma, recently launched the Accelerated e-Mobility Revolution for India’s Transportation (E-AMRIT) mobile application to raise awareness about electric mobility in India.
According to a press release, e-AMRIT offers users key information and engagement tools that enable them to assess the benefits of electric vehicles, determine savings, and receive information on developments in the Indian electric vehicle market and industry. The mobile app, which is available on Android devices, is a follow-up to the e-AMRIT website, which provides information about purchasing EVs, investment opportunities, policies, and subsidies, among other things.
India is among 42 leaders to back the Glasgow Breakthrough agenda launched at the COP26 climate summit, which aims to make clean technologies and sustainable solutions affordable and attractive. India is also a co-convener of the Glasgow Breakthrough on Road Transport along with the United Kingdom and the United States. The Breakthrough on Road Transport aims to make zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), including two and three-wheelers, cars, vans, and heavy-duty vehicles more affordable, accessible, and sustainable by 2030. To bolster this low-carbon infrastructure, NITI Aayog is collaborating with the UK government on e-vehicles, charging infrastructure, and battery storage.
Speaking during the launch, the COP26 President highlighted that India is the fifth largest and fastest growing vehicle market in the world, providing massive potential for electric vehicle uptake. The shift to ZEVs is well underway and accelerating, creating new e-mobility jobs, driving down technology costs, ensuring the air is cleaner, and reducing reliance on imported fuels, he said.
A representative from NITI Aayog stated that the electrification of the transport system is a key driver of India’s transformational mobility paradigm. Catalysing this green transition will require a multi-fold increase in public, as well as private capital flows, to build India’s new green infrastructure.
During the same event, NITI Aayog unveiled a report on the Advanced Chemistry Cell Battery Reuse and Recycling Market in India, supported by the UK’s Green Growth Fund Technical Cooperation Facility. The report aims to promote recycling current and evolving battery technologies. It explores the battery supply chain as the uptake of electric vehicles increases in India. The report highlights the crucial role of energy storage in accomplishing India’s COP26 goals.
In April, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) organised a brainstorming session to discuss the research and development needs of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country and deliberate on an EV roadmap. The session also explored ways to meet the government’s target of having electric mobility be 30% of the vehicle population by 2030.
Leading experts and stakeholders from ministries, research labs, academia, and the industry discussed the need to acquire capability in major EV subsystems like batteries, motors, and power electronics. India aims to be carbon neutral by 2070. This means several sectors in the economy need to be de-carbonised, including transportation. The country requires a comprehensive technology programme that includes developing appropriate battery systems like solid-state batteries that can withstand high ambient temperatures in tropical regions.
