Among the various battery compositions available today for use in electric vehicles (EVs), lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the most sought after. They are expected to dominate the EV market in the next decade, thus playing a substantial role in realising fossil-free transport. However, the cathode materials used in LIBs pose some environmental issues during various stages of their life cycle (mining, production, operation, and afterlife).

When it comes to powering electric vehicles (EVs), lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the front runners globally. They offer higher specific energy (energy stored per unit mass) and longer lifetimes compared to other battery technologies available on the market. The storage demand for the EV sector in India is expected to reach 900–2,300 GWh (for two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and buses) by 2030—considering a 30% EV penetration.

The Union Budget 2021-22 is clearly a plan to bolster the nation's financial stability that has been down in the doldrums due to the pandemic. But, can the recovery plan, announced on the heels of India being ranked seventh on the Global Climate Risk Index 2021, lead to a resilient and regenerative economy? 

Studies point out that despite the Government of India's renewable energy target of 450 GW by 2030, electricity generation from coal-based thermal power plants (TPPs) will still be more than half of the total supply. TPPs release pollutants, such as sulphur dioxides (SOx), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), which have a serious impact on human health. Coal mining and fly ash from coal combustion pollute both surface and ground water. Additionally, TPPs are responsible for around 40% of India’s total GHG emissions.

Like most of us, Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, turned to technology in COVID times, to present the first paperless budget in India’s history. Indeed, it set the mood for what was to come.

The Union Budget 2021–22 is a clear plan to bring the economy back on track. But the current pandemic should have paved the way for a new approach to economic development — one that prioritised environment, ecosystems, and green infrastructure.

Air pollution is one of the biggest threats staring India squarely in the face. A slew of measures to effectively tackle this menace were expected from Budget 2021–22. The budget, however, turned out to be a mixed bag, with more misses than hits as far as India’s fight against air pollution is concerned.

One of the focal points of the Union Budget 2021–22 is the potential of renewable energy — especially solar energy — in reviving the economy. The measures suggested in the Budget could lead to higher indigenisation in the solar energy infrastructure. The Indian solar industry is heavily dependent on Chinese imports at the moment and the emphasis on indigenisation could provide the much-needed thrust to local manufacturers.

The phenomenal rise in personal vehicle use, especially in urban areas, during the pandemic is bound to have serious environmental implications. States and UTs should, therefore, consider implementing the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines 2020, especially the sections that deal with the aggregation of non-transport vehicles (personal vehicles) and ride pooling.