Going Green: Understanding the Environmental and Economic Benefits of Electric Vehicles in India

The main reason why the world and every government is shifting their focus from internal combustion engines (ICE), popularly known as pollution-making vehicles, to electric vehicles (EVs). Popularly known as a friend of our environment because EVs produce significantly less emission than ICE.

And that is why

electric vehicles in India

No matter how much automakers and media promote

electric vehicle brands in India

The environment and the economics of electric vehicles play a major role in adapting electric vehicles in India. However, India and the world have yet to compare when adopting electric vehicles. India, a country with a large population and rapidly growing urbanization, needs a solid infrastructure to support the change.

Therefore, keeping everything in mind, from the environment to economics, India is on its way to making electrification of vehicles. But, users are concerned about the environmental and economic benefits of using an EV.

So, in this blog, we will dive deep into the environmental and economic benefits of electric vehicles in India.

The Environmental Benefits of EVs In India

Gasoline-powered vehicles are known for disturbing our environment with tailpipe emissions; however, since the electric vehicle wave has been going on, it’s said that EVs don’t produce emissions; hence, it’s good for our environment.

What’s the truth? Let’s dig deep into the environmental benefits of using electric vehicles.

Reduced Air Pollution

India has been fighting against air pollution control for the longest time, and internal combustion engine vehicles are the primary source of air pollution in India. Some of the life-threatening pollutants that vehicles emit are carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.

That is not the case for electric vehicles powered by electricity from a clean and green source, producing zero tailpipe emissions. Therefore, EVs work best for carbon emission reduction. Hence, the prominent benefit of using EVs is reduced air pollution.

Lower Carbon Footprint

Automotive or otherwise, companies worldwide are working tirelessly for carbon footprint control as high concentrations of greenhouse gases, specifically carbon dioxide, threaten to raise the planet's average surface temperature to intolerable levels.

EVs are more environmentally friendly; however, manufacturing batties for EVs does have initial environmental costs, and the reduced greenhouse gas emissions during the operational phase outweigh this.

India, where coal is the most essential and abundant fossil fuel, accounts for 55% of the country's energy needs. Therefore, the transition from coal-generated electricity to clean and green electricity generation from solar and wind is essential to make EVs green in the true sense.

Energy Efficiency

Gasoline-powered vehicles or internal combustion engine vehicles have more moving parts than EVs. The engine is a complex unit, and a significant amount of energy is lost as heat.

On the other hand, electric vehicles do not have complex units such as engines and other moving parts, requiring more energy to move the vehicle forward, resulting in increased efficiency.

This increased efficiency contributes to a reduction in the overall demand for energy and a decrease in the environmental impact of energy generation.

Economic Benefits of EVs in India

Lower Operating Costs

Operation cost is what differentiates ICE and EV. EV outperforms ICE in operation costs with a high margin. It is one of the most significant economic benefits of EVs in India.

This is because electricity in India is subsequently cheaper than gasoline. The maintenance costs of electric vehicles are much lower than gasoline-powered vehicles due to fewer moving parts in the EVs. Therefore, this results in considerable savings for EV owners over the lifespan of their vehicles.

Government Incentives

India is rapidly growing to become the manufacturing hub for electric vehicles. To support this movement, the Government of India aims to achieve 100% local production of EVs under its ‘Make in India’ initiative.

There are several Government initiatives, such as 

• Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India), 
• The PLI scheme for the Auto and the Auto Component
• The PLI scheme for manufacturing ACC to drive local production

 These initiatives are working in favour of automakers and end users.

Reduced Dependence on Oil Imports

India, like many other countries, imports oil. India heavily depends on oil imports to meet its energy needs, which has significant economic implications.

Therefore, switching to EVs can significantly improve economic stability and reduce vulnerability to volatile oil prices in the global market.

Job Creation

The electric vehicle industry is expected to create five million jobs in India by the end of the next decade.

Specifically jobs in manufacturing, research and development, and maintenance.will be the central focus of the electric vehicle industry. Charging infrastructure and promoting battery production can further stimulate economic growth.

Conclusion

Electric vehicles are not just the talk of the town but an actual solution to major challenges India has been facing, including environmental and economic challenges. In the environmental challenges, air pollution control, carbon footprint control, and carbon emission reduction will be the primary focus. In the economic challenges, providing users with a much cheaper option for transportation and job creation will be the focus.