At the Network18 Green Bharat Summit, Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, delivered a powerful and urgent message: India must move faster in its electric vehicle (EV) transition or risk being left behind. Speaking passionately about the country’s opportunities and shortcomings, Kant highlighted how India is lagging behind global leaders like China, Europe, and the U.S., despite having the potential to dominate the EV market.
India’s EV Reality Check
Kant didn’t sugarcoat the situation. “China’s EV penetration is over 50%, Europe is at 23%, and the U.S. is around 10%. India? Just 2%,” he emphasized. “Our manufacturers are five years behind the curve. If they had acted sooner, India could have been the largest exporter of EVs to Europe and the U.S., especially with the tariffs imposed on China.”
This stark contrast, he warned, underscores the urgency for India to embrace technological leapfrogging. “By 2030, India must aim for at least 60% EV penetration, and 100% by 2035,” he declared, pointing out that 42 of India’s 50 major cities rank among the world’s most polluted.
Policy, Disruption, and Accountability
Kant called for a policy-driven disruption in the transportation sector, urging tighter norms for vehicle emissions and a complete shift to electric two- and three-wheelers in polluted cities. “Without drastic changes, India’s auto industry risks irrelevance,” he said.
Acknowledging the government’s efforts, Kant pointed out the success of initiatives like the PLI schemes and subsidies for EV manufacturing. However, he was clear that the private sector bears much of the responsibility for the slow progress.
“It’s not a capital issue or an R&D issue. It’s an intent issue,” he stressed. “Entrepreneurs need to look five years ahead, not five years behind.”
The Missed Opportunity in Battery Manufacturing
A major gap, according to Kant, lies in battery production. While India imports nearly all of its lithium-ion cells, global battery storage is advancing rapidly. “The world is producing 1,200 gigawatts of battery storage, and India currently has zero,” he said.
Despite government initiatives to encourage domestic production, Kant lamented the lack of execution. “We announced plans for 50 gigawatts of battery manufacturing in 2021. What’s the result? Not a single gigawatt has been produced. This is unacceptable,” he said, urging companies like Ola and Reliance to deliver on their promises.
Fast Chargers: A Critical Need
Kant highlighted another crucial piece of the puzzle: fast chargers. He called for the installation of one million interoperable fast chargers across the country to address consumer concerns about charging infrastructure.
“Startups are already making progress in this space, but much more needs to be done,” he said. “India must adopt the UPI model, create interoperable infrastructure that allows consumers to find the nearest charger on a single app.”
The Role of Public and Corporate Fleets
Kant also emphasized the importance of electrifying public transportation and corporate fleets. “The government must lead by example,” he said. “Why are state and central governments still buying fossil fuel cars? They should go 100% electric, as should corporate fleets.”
He proposed scaling up the procurement of electric buses, suggesting tenders for up to 100,000 units. “This will not only reduce urban pollution but also make India a global hub for electric bus manufacturing,” he said.
A Call to Young Entrepreneurs
Kant expressed his admiration for startups that have disrupted the EV space, particularly in two- and three-wheelers. However, he challenged them to think bigger. “Don’t just focus on India look at the world as your market,” he said, pointing out that global policies favoring EVs have created unprecedented export opportunities.
“India’s EV industry must rise to the occasion and seize this moment,” he urged.
Consumer Mindset: A Shift Underway
On the consumer front, Kant acknowledged the growing willingness to adopt EVs, particularly in two- and three-wheelers. “In two to three years, no one will want to buy a fossil fuel vehicle,” he predicted. “Fossil fuel technology is dead it belongs to another era.”
Kant practices what he preaches, revealing that he drives a Tata Nexon EV and is eagerly awaiting Mahindra’s upcoming electric vehicles.
Green Hydrogen and Decarbonization
Kant expanded his vision beyond EVs, advocating for India to become a leader in green hydrogen production. “By 2030, India should be the world’s cheapest producer and largest exporter of green hydrogen,” he said, highlighting the country’s climatic advantages.
“India must urbanize and industrialize through decarbonization,” he added. “We’ve done it with renewable energy, and now it’s time to lead the next revolution.”
A Million Fast Chargers and 300 Gigawatts of Batteries
Kant ended his talk with a three-point action plan for the auto industry and ecosystem players:
- Install 1 million interoperable fast chargers across the country.
- Achieve 300 gigawatts of battery manufacturing by 2030.
- Electrify all two-] and three-wheelers in 42 of India’s most polluted cities.
“These are not dreams they are necessities,” he said.