The
industry leaders have recognized the option of an electric car as a promising
one for Indians. The basic thing is that electric cars function at a low
operating cost. Also, India’s global position is getting worst in the area of
pollution. Hence, it becomes important to make electric vehicles a priority in
the fight against fossil fuels and pollution.
The
initial push can be seen in three-wheelers and two-wheelers but there is a need
to motivate electric vehicles in the area of cars and public transportation. Despite
various challenges, auto manufacturers have seen it as an untapped sector.
What
is the electric car?
The
car is propelled by one or more electric motors that use energy from
rechargeable batteries. You can categorize electric cars into three- Solar
powered, hybrid electric cars (powered by batteries and internal combustion),
and battery-electric cars.
Will
electric cars become popular in India?
The
trend has recommended interest of people in electric cars as compared to
electric two wheels and petrol/diesel cars. The industry experts believe that
it is high time to adopt these vehicles. The effect of these vehicles can be
seen in the metro cities where the pollution has reached the maximum level.
Also, the car manufacturers are ensuring the availability of these cars in the
market.
Advantages
of electric cars over petrol/diesel cars
The
electric cars operate at a low cost as compared to the car running on
traditional internal combustion engines. Also, electric cars are quite cheaper
as compared to fuel cars in terms of maintenance costs. It is beneficial for a
person with high car usage. Moreover, it is cheaper to charge the battery than
refueling the liquid fuel tanks. EVs also have the added advantage of
drivability and performance.
Challenges
in the customer adoption
Establishing
new things is always challenging. The users are worried about the range and
speed of EVs. Hence, a lot of education and sensitization are required to bust
myths. Some of the major challenges are: charging infrastructure, creating a closed-loop,
battery performance, and supply-demand gap.
Lack
of battery cell production units
The
primary battery cell production units are not present in India. The production
units rely on imported batteries from China, Japan, Europe, and Korea.
Creating
charging infrastructure
The
charging infrastructure like refueling stations is not there. Also, repair and
maintenance options are limited.
Increasing
battery performance
The
battery performance needs to be excellent and more durable than an internal
combustion engine.
Establishing
a closed-loop mobility ecosystem
There
is a need to create a strong supply chain. Also, battery recycling stations are
required to recover metals used in electrification for creating the closed-loop
needed to shift to electric cars.
Conclusion
The
future of EVs is promising in India. However, there is an urgent need to take
stringent action for bridging the gap between supply and demand. Also, the
infrastructure needs to be created. And the government has to motivate the
consumers to buy EVs as there are many benefits of using electric cars.