New Delhi (NVI): Union Minister of Transport Nitin Gadkari today called upon the automobile industry to reduce cost of the electric vehicles (EVs) for enhancing sales While maintaining quality.
Addressing the ‘Electric Mobility Conference 2020’, organized by FICCI Karnataka State Council, Gadkari said the future is very bright and India has the potential to become the largest Electric Vehicle (EV) market in the world as the government continues to push for EV adoption.
The Union Minister noted that with higher output the automobile industry would be able to cater to growing market. He said, “Indian manufacturers have the capability to make efficient EVs that can not only create more jobs but also provide opportunities for exports.”
“e-Mobility is going to be the future mode of transport with greater efficiency and less impact on the environment. Import of crude oil and air pollution are two major concerns for the country. We need to have an integrated approach for EVs,” he added.
Gadkari further said that the government is working towards making India a global automobile manufacturing hub in the next five years and is already making policies to support the industry.
He urged FICCI and other stakeholders to come up with an integrated approach towards developing the EV sector in India.
Gadkari said that India needs a minimum of 10 GWs per hour of cells by 2022, which will be expanded to 50 GWs by 2025, referring to the NITI Aayog report. “We need to encourage the manufacturing of these cells in India. I urge the industry to think about manufacturing e-batteries in the country. We need to have a policy that promotes cost-effectiveness, and substitute import, pollution-free and indigenous.”
He stated that the government is working towards making e-Highway on Delhi and Mumbai Expressway where e-buses and trucks would run.
“We are going ahead with a pilot project, the Delhi-Mumbai corridor will become the lifeline of India and we plan to install new electric roads. Electricity as a fuel is available in the country, hence mass rapid transport on electricity is the most important solution for the country,” the minister said.
“Road transport in the country is undergoing a shift and Gadkari urged everyone to adopt eco-friendly mobility solutions. “I hope to see cleaner and more sustainable innovation from the industry as we move towards a greener tomorrow,” he added.
Gadkari has also emphasised upon promoting use of bio fuels like CNG, LNG and informed that he would soon launch tractors run on Bio-CNG.
-RJV
