GS Paper 3
Syllabus: Environment/ Science and Technology – Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life
Source: IE
Context: The government of India is solely promoting battery electric vehicles (BEVs), regardless of the problems associated with them.
Types of EVs:
| Types | Description | Examples |
| Hybrid EVs (HEVs) | These are the vehicles which combine a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) system with an electric propulsion system → hybrid drivetrain that substantially lowers fuel usage. | Toyota Hyryder in India |
| Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) | A hybrid drivetrain uses both an ICE and electric power for motive power, backed by rechargeable batteries that can be plugged into a power source. | Chevrolet Volt |
| BEVs | They run on a fully electric drivetrain powered by rechargeable batteries. They have no ICE or fuel tank. | Tata Nexon in India |
| Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) | They combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, which runs the motor, and the only residue of the chemical process is water. | Honda’s Clarity |
Initiatives for Promoting EVs in India:
- National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMPP)
- The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles in India (FAME India) scheme
- Production-linked incentive (PLI) Scheme – National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage
- Go Electric Campaign
Why are these initiatives launched?
To cut emissions and reduce costly fuel imports.
Impact of these initiatives:
- EV sales have increased by more than 2,218% in the last 3 years.
- Overall sales of EVs in India crossed the 1 million milestone (over 60% of these are two-wheelers) for the first time in 2022-23. However, the total EV sales are ~5%
- The government target for EV sales is 30% for private cars, 70% for commercial vehicles and 80% for two and three-wheelers by 2030.
- Other alternatives are ignored: Currently, the Indian government offers clear tax advantages/incentives primarily for one type of vehicle – BEVs – with almost all other vehicle technologies grouped together under the heavy tax bracket.
Issues with BEVs:
- State subsidies cornered by few: The problem is that much of the subsidy or tax breaks end up in the hands of the middle or upper middle classes, who are typically the buyers of battery electric four-wheelers.
- Poor charging network: Only about 2,000 public charging stations are currently operational across the country.
- Different charging demands: For example, e-2W and 3W models in India are suited to slow charging, unlike cars and buses.
- Non-renewable electricity source: In India, the grid is still fed largely by coal-fired thermal plants.
- Import dependence: India is almost entirely dependent on imports from a small pool of countries (Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Australia and China) to cater to its demand for Li for the production of Li-ion batteries.
Way ahead:
- Investing in charging infrastructure is 4-7 times more effective in EV adoption than providing upfront purchase subsidies (WB).
- Adopting a battery-swapping mechanism as an alternative for cases where fast charging is required.
- Exploring other alternatives:
- Hybrids,
- Flexible/flex fuel vehicle has an ICE, but unlike a regular petrol or diesel vehicle, it can run on more than one type of fuel or even a mixture of fuels such as petrol and ethanol.
- Hydrogen FCVs are practically zero emission.
- German manufacturer Porsche is developing a synthetic fuel that can make an ICE as clean as an EV.
