India wants 30pc of private cars to be electric by 2030. Here's how they plan to do it

For years, New Delhi's residents have lived with an acrid smog that blankets the city in the cooler months and never fades completely.

As daylight gradually disappears, it gives way to a shadowy, smoky haze that irritates the eyes and increases people's risk of developing a respiratory illness.

It is a distressing reality in what is considered the world's most polluted city.

But technological innovation is paving the way for a promising transformation in the country's capital, by reducing the city's reliance on heavy-polluting cars.

"People are very upbeat about this transition," Pawan Mulukutla from the World Resources Institute India said.

"We can't really ignore the fact that transport emissions are one of the biggest contributors of emissions across cities and, of course, electrification of transport will lead to decarbonising the transport sector."

India is in the midst of an electric vehicle (EV) revolution, similar to other countries around the world.

These new cars are better for the environment, reducing harmful noise and air pollution created from exhaust emissions.

But in many parts of the world, including Australia, the biggest barrier for consumers to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle is cost.

What sets India apart is how affordable EVs are compared to other countries and the promotion of two and three-wheelers, instead of cars.

India's 'affordable' EVs

As a low-income worker in India, Binota was wary when it came time to buying a new rickshaw six years ago.

Though she had no experience with EVs, she quickly realised that it was cheaper to buy an electric rickshaw instead of a fuel one.

"[Fuel] rickshaws cost more than e-rickshaws," Binota said.

"I always had money problems, so I chose e-rickshaws, the e-rickshaws are affordable and provide a source of income."

In India, a comparatively much lower-income country than Australia, people can get an electric scooter for just $500 or an e-rickshaw for $2,000.

Just as Binota said, they are becoming cheaper than their fuel counterparts.

"I got a 100,000 rupee ($2,000) loan from the bank for the e-rickshaw," Binota said.

"On the other hand, a fuel one would have cost around 400,000 rupees ($7,800)."

Read More at https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-12/how-india-had-an-electric-vehicle-revolution/101525942