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India reveals plan for full national EV switch by 2030

India could become a world leader in eco-friendly transportation after announcing plans to have only electric cars on its roads by 2030.


In 2013, India made its intentions clear by establishing the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan and, later, the Faster Adoption and Manufacture of Electric Vehicles (FAME) plan, with the goal of putting six to seven million hybrid and electric vehicles on its roads by 2020.

As part of the plan, the Indian Government offers manufacturers cash incentives to ramp-up production on EVs as well as subsidising the costs involved with converting fossil-fuel-guzzling petrol cars to electric.

It now appears that India is taking its vision for the future up a notch, announcing that come 2030, it expects to see only EVs on the road.

Cars such as the Mahindra e20 (below), India’s first home-grown modern electric car that is available in other markets around the world, can be picked up for a mere 571,000 Rupees ($11,226).

While the e20 may only reach a top speed of 88km/h, it’s exactly the kind of vehicle that could dominate Indian roads in the future.

India’s Power Minister Piyush Goyal says, "Innovation is possible, it just needs an open mind. You need to think of scale and be honest."

According to reports, the plans would not rely on Government funding - although incentives will still be offered - instead allowing drivers to receive an electric car at no up-front cost, and have them pay off the car with the savings on fuel.

Goyal says the system can be self-sustaining, meaning electricity tariffs will not need to increase, however a more efficient electricity system will be essential to the program's success.

As such, the Indian Government is committed to supporting the development of charging infrastructure, ensuring a completely electrified fleet of cars can remain full of charge should their plans come to fruition.

With 1.2 billion people, India is one of the world’s most populous countries, which means the elimination of petrol-powered cars could have a profound affect on air quality, especially in the more densely populated cities.

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