Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
6. India’s move towards electric vehicles (EVs) must be in consonance with a broad move towards digitization and overall sustainability. Discuss. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India
Why the question:
Spurred by steadily rising demand and proactive government incentives, India’s electric vehicle (EV) industry has shown exponential growth in the past two years. Domestic four-wheeler EV sales in 2022-23 are set to cross the 60-65,000 mark.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the impact of shifting to electric vehicles on the environment, economy and foreign policy and also to examine India’s preparedness and measures taken so far to achieve the transition to electric vehicles.
Directive word:
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you must debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You must give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by describing the electric vehicles (EV) technology vis-à-vis fossil fuel based vehicles.
Body:
Mention the impact the EV can have on India economically in terms of reducing dependence on crude oil and reduced import bill and improved domestic energy independence.
Write about the environmental benefits of shift to EV – Give facts and figures relation to vehicular emission in India, the impact of it and how shifting to EV can be environmentally advantageous as well as sustainable in the long run.
Mention as to how there can be a potential shift in the foreign policy with more progression in EV, as we look beyond West Asia and towards Latin America.
Examine the various measures taken in this regard so far such as FAME-I, FAME-II, Developing domestic battery manufacturing capacity, mining for Lithium and Cobalt etc, Niti Aayog’s recent draft policy.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward to ensure maximisation of potential benefits.
