India has been moving towards advanced technologies in transport, and some key modern technologies have entered its highway network system. The government is actively planning to introduce E-roads such as E-highways and E-expressways for charging a large chunk of electric vehicles (EVs). NITI Aayog says that EVs will account for 80 per cent of two- and three-wheelers, 40 per cent of buses, and 30–70 per cent of cars by 2030 in India. As a pilot run, India’s first E-highway between Delhi and Jaipur will be developed soon.

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The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India has grown significantly over the last few years. There is a three-time jump in EV sales in 2022 compared to 2021. More than 90% of the EVs sold are either two-wheelers or threewheelers. The growth in EV sales could mainly be attributed to policies, such as production-based incentives and the FAME scheme. However, we are still way behind the Government’s target of achieving 70% of all new commercial vehicles and 80% of all two-wheeler and three-wheeler sales to be electric by 2030.

India is one of the fastest-growing large economies in the post-Covid era. The transport sector, a major contributor to India’s GDP, is currently dominated by internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and, therefore, is dependent on fossil fuels.

The International Energy Agency published a report entitled ‘Southeast Asia Energy Outlook 2022’ last month. It said that the rapid economic growth in most Southeast Asian countries since 2000 is now threatening their energy security, as they struggle to keep pace with their growing energy needs.

The scene is not very different for other regions of the world.

National economic activities were hit hard by the pandemic, and the power sector was no exception. The sector deviated from the expected energy supply and peak power demand growth trajectory during the pandemic years, and is now on the path of recovery.

Renewable energy (RE) and electric vehicles (EVs) are currently the best bet for moving towards a sustainable future. A study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) published last month says that with appropriate EV policies, India can scale down 45 per cent-50 per cent of its cumulative CO2 emissions from the road transport sector between 2021 and 2050.

A warming of the planet by 1.1°C due to human-induced climate change is being reported. Today, we are dealing with the consequences of higher temperatures, erratic and unpredictable rainfall, intense storms, and sea-level rise. To rein in temperature rise, rapid cuts in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are essential, as are making significant investments to protect ecosystems and communities from severe impacts that will worsen over time.