SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY: ROLE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES

SUPPORTING THE GLOBAL SHIFT TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES

India is progressively progressing towards a development plan that is both sustainable and inclusive, while also bearing in mind the pressing socioeconomic needs of its billion-strong population. This is consistent with the country's strong commitment to meeting the globally agreed-upon Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Between 2005 and 2016, India achieved significant achievement in decoupling economic development from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reducing the emissions intensity of GDP by 24%.

While the emissions intensity of GDP has decreased, absolute emissions have not, resulting in widespread warming and a variety of negative social and ecological effects. According to an IPCC report, a 1.5°C increase in global temperatures relative to pre-industrial levels can result in a disastrous rise in sea levels, disproportionately affect vulnerable groups through negative health consequences, loss of livelihood prospects, and food and economic hardship.

Given its large coastline, large population, and high levels of inequality and poverty, India is likely to be one of the most severely affected countries. To tackle climate change and its numerous risks, community-focused, sustainable development is essential.

TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY

The country's transport sector is one of the biggest offenders for the growth in emissions, accounting for 13.5 percent of the country's energy-related CO2 emissions, with road transport accounting for a whopping 90 percent of the sector's ultimate energy consumption.

ICE vehicles, which account for the great bulk of our motor fleet, are properly chastised for contributing to air pollution, jeopardising societal health outcomes, and perpetuating the usage of fossil fuels, all of which jeopardise India's SDG efforts. Reducing transportation-related emissions through the adoption of clean mobility solutions should be a key component of any sustainable development strategy to tackle climate change and its consequences (SDG 13).

ELECTRIC VEHICLES- A BEACON OF HOPE

To assist India in meeting its SDG targets, a significant push towards clean mobility is required, and EVs offer a glimmer of hope in this regard. They minimise dependence on fossil fuels, promote community health, ensure energy security, and increase opportunities for employment and upskilling.

Combining electric mobility and renewable energy standards will help to further decarbonize the transportation industry. EVs, when driven by sustainable energy sources, can help increase the share of renewables in the energy mix (SDG Target 7.2) and contribute to reducing air pollution and its associated health effects (SDG Target 3.9). The connections do not end there. With the EV industry expected to produce 10 million jobs in India, EV production can provide opportunities for job creation, entrepreneurship, and the formalisation and expansion of MSMEs (SDG Target 8.3).

It has the potential to foster sustainable and inclusive industrialisation (SDG Target 9.2) as well as the integration of small-scale industrial firms into value chains and markets (SDG Target 9.3). Batteries can be mined for precious metals at the end of their life cycles, assisting in the achievement of sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (SDG Target 12.2). Recycling and efficient end-of-life management of spent batteries can also help to reduce waste output significantly (SDG Target 12.5).

India has launched a number of measures to encourage EV adoption and manufacturing. Despite these measures, there is still room for more action on this front. The SDGs can serve as a guide once more, establishing ideals that might motivate policy. Universal access to affordable, dependable, and modern energy services (SDG Target 7.1) should be the normative foundation for all EV-related decisions. India must also commit to provide access to safe, cheap, accessible, and sustainable transportation systems (SDG Target 11.2) by incorporating EVs into all vehicle segments, including buses for emission-free public transportation.

PROJECTS FOCUSING ON E-MOBILITY

1. Electric two and three wheelers- Motorcycle and three-wheeler mobility is critical to transport systems in Africa, Asia, and parts of Latin America. These vehicles frequently travel daily distances of 100 km or more, transporting passengers and commodities and meeting the mobility needs of millions of consumers. However, these vehicles are frequently based on obsolete technologies, making them inefficient and polluting. Electrification of two and three wheelers thus represents a major opportunity for reducing greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. The UN Environment Programme is assisting seventeen countries in Africa, South-East Asia, and Latin America in developing national roadmaps and conducting pilots for the adoption of electric two and three wheelers.
2. Electric buses- Many low and middle-income countries continue to experience significant urbanisation. Public mass transportation, including scheduled buses and informal services based on mini and midi-buses, is an essential component of urban mobility. Many cities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America are now investing in better transportation systems and infrastructure, which frequently include high-capacity bus lines and bus rapid transit (BRT). With bus lifespans averaging 12 years or more, action is required to prevent these new transit systems from getting locked in with outmoded and wasteful bus technology. The UN Environment plan, in collaboration with partners, has created a clean bus fleet plan that will assist twenty cities in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean in developing roadmaps.
3. Light Duty Vehicles- Passenger cars have by far the greatest potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally. Light-duty vehicles accounted for over half of all transport emissions in 2018, including rail, marine, and aircraft. Many of the world's leading automakers have set lofty goals for introducing hundreds of new EV models over the next five years. When used in taxi fleets with long yearly driving trips, the total cost of ownership of EVs is significantly cheaper than that of conventional cars. Over fifty low and middle-income countries are receiving assistance from the programme in developing fiscal and regulatory policies and schemes to promote the introduction and use of electric vehicles.

IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE

By electrifying goods transport and embracing EVs for delivery and ridesharing, the industrial sector may be pushed to modernise infrastructure and adopt clean and environmentally sound technology (SDG Target 9.4). It might boost scientific research and technological competence (SDG Target 9.5) to disrupt existing value chains and position India as a hub for EV manufacturing and related exports.

SDGs are more than just ideas to follow; they represent pledges to future generations of a secure and safe future. EVs powered by renewable energy sources have the potential to be a magic bullet, addressing a wide variety of SDG goals while remaining consistent with existing measures established for the country's clean economic rebirth.

A lot of preparation has already been done in terms of prioritising this industry and obtaining the necessary government policy backing. As experts and decision-makers from around the world gather in Berlin for the Transport and Climate Change Week, India must reaffirm its commitment to pursuing a sustainable mobility future based on a broader consensus built across nations on the basis of trust. It is past time to make electric mobility a cornerstone of the country's long-term development strategy.