Background Note

India recognizes the shift to electric mobility presents both environmental and socioeconomic benefits and provides the unique opportunity to create new jobs while responding to the challenges of air pollution and energy security. Until the time COVID19 pandemic disrupted the global economy, India has steadily driven towards a “shared, connected & electric” mobility system and has been adopting innovative ways to increase the share of low carbon vehicles in its transportation fleet. India’s ambition is to phase in the transition towards electric vehicles in a gradual manner with an interim target of 30% electrification of all new vehicles sold by 2030. The country, which has already introduced its National Electric Mobility Mission Plan in 2013 and Framework for Manufacturing Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Scheme phase II, has a huge potential to usher in an EV revolution.

Due to the COVID19 lockdown, one of the most visible impacts has been on the mobility sector, which has been witnessing limited demand, supply chain constraints, market and liquidity shocks. However, despite the challenges, intention to phase out ICE vehicles and to scale up efforts on electric mobility was announced by progressive states and cities. The pandemic also has had a dramatic impact on the transport emissions, which globally accounts for a quarter of energy related Greenhouse Gas emissions. The case for environment-friendly mobility is now even stronger given the phenomenal improvement of air quality experienced by the cities. The post-crisis period is thus expected to trigger behavioural changes and shift the dial towards clean mobility with policies and awareness campaigns kicking in. This can receive further impetus through targeted stimulus packages, subsidies for manufacturing and demand enhancing strategies. Transition towards electric mobility can contribute to clean and resilient recovery, reduction of oil imports, air pollution and reduction of emissions. India’s leadership on this has tremendous potential to be a global success story in the run-up-to COP 26 and beyond. With these in mind, British High Commission (BHC) and TERI have come together to propose the webinar on ‘Future of E-Mobility in India: Strategies to Drive Demand’.

The webinar will discuss ways to boost clean and resilient economic recovery through an e-mobility revolution in India. The discussions will explore: