India's Green Energy Transition

As electric vehicles (EVs) have zero tailpipe emissions and lower running costs, an increasing number of Bengalureans are adopting EVs over their conventional counterparts. As per a Bengaluru-based think tank, the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), the city will have more than 23 lakh EVs by 2030. However, for a smoother transition to EVs, challenges related to battery charging need to be overcome.

The environmental and health hazards associated with fossil-fuel-based vehicles are driving city dwellers towards electric vehicles (EVs), which have zero emissions and lower operating costs. As per the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy’s (CSTEP’s) report ‘Bengaluru 2030: Impact of EVs on Vehicular Emissions’, Bengaluru would have more than 23 lakh EVs (> 85% electric two wheelers [e-2Ws]) by 2030, helping curb beyond 3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually (CSTEP, 2023).

Most people in India travel less than 50 km daily on their two-wheelers. We conducted a market survey that revealed that most of the popular electric two-wheelers (E2Ws) sold today have a real-world range of at least 55 km. So why don’t we see more E2Ws on the road?

The world is witnessing electric vehicle (EV) revolution. Improved air quality (zero tailpipe emissions) is a key benefit of EVs. With over 22 million EVs, China is leading this revolution. Studies have shown that the scale of EV adoption in China has helped improve air quality in Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Many Indian cities, including Delhi, have unhealthy air. As an evolving EV market, what could India learn from China?

Climate hazards such as droughts, flood, and cyclones are becoming more severe and frequent, posing a threat to the resilience of renewable energy. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), India, in collaboration with the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), conducted a study across four states in India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan) with a high percentage of wind and solar energy infrastructure. The study employed the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report 5 (AR5) risk assessment framework.

The announcement of India’s 2070 net-zero target has demonstrated the power of a credible policy signal and changed the course of India’s climate debate. While the Government of India (GoI) has not specified whether this target refers to carbon-dioxide or all greenhouse gases, the announcement has been a watershed moment in India’s climate policy. From questions related to whether and at what pace should India decarbonize its economy, various actors in India are now aligned towards this target.

India launched a landmark scheme, the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, in February this year, to support the uptake of rooftop solar photovoltaics (RTPVs) in the country. Under this scheme, residential households are eligible for a subsidy of INR 30,000 per kilowatt (kW) for the first 2 kW and INR 18,000 per kW for an additional capacity of up to 3 kW. With over 1.28 crore registrations and 14.84 lakh applications, the scheme has garnered remarkable interest as highlighted in the recent union budget.

India has witnessed remarkable growth in the solar sector over the last decade. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the overall installed capacity has increased from 2.82 GW in March 2014 to 87.2 GW in July 2024.This can be attributed to aggressive government targets, supportive policy frameworks, decreasing technology costs, and increasing awareness about climate change. While the sector is attracting significant investments from foreign and domestic sources, it also has inherent risks.