Former Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has set the audacious objective of doing away with petrol and diesel cars within the next ten years in a daring vision for India’s automotive industry. Gadkari emphasised the government’s commitment to cleaner and more sustainable transport solutions during a recent public rally.
The Former Union Minister says, “I want to eliminate diesel and petrol vehicles from this country within 10 years. Nowadays, electric scooters, cars, and buses have emerged as viable options. While you spend Rs 100 on diesel, they consume electricity worth Rs 4.”
Previously, Gadkari has spoken about the need to phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles but has not provided a specific timeline. Now, he has committed to a ten-year plan to remove over 36 crore petrol and diesel vehicles from Indian roads. He also aims to reduce the GST on hybrid vehicles as part of this comprehensive strategy.
When asked about the feasibility of completely phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles, Gadkari expressed strong confidence. He remarked, “One hundred per cent. It is difficult but not impossible. This is my vision,” reflecting his determination and optimism in achieving this ambitious transformation for India’s automotive landscape.
Over the past few years, India has seen a notable rise in the adoption of electric vehicles. Despite this growing interest in electric cars and two-wheelers, the country’s EV charging infrastructure remains inadequate for widespread use. The high upfront cost of electric vehicles further complicates the situation, making hybrids an appealing alternative. Additionally, the steep fuel prices for traditional internal combustion engine vehicles contribute to the attractiveness of hybrid models.
India is still far from being fully prepared for the adoption of electric vehicles due to a number of issues. Government initiatives are encouraging, but they haven’t yet produced an all-encompassing and efficient EV ecosystem. Moreover, a lot of well-known automakers have not made a complete commitment to the EV market, which has left EV options scarce and frequently pricey. The lack of charging outlets contributes to range anxiety, and sales data suggests that hybrid vehicles are preferred as a more workable temporary fix. Furthermore, some EVs have performance problems, accident problems, and reliability difficulties that deter prospective purchasers from completely embracing an EV.
India has to stress the need for additional developments and infrastructure construction even though the country is making progress in the EV industry in order to be fully ready for a wider EV transition.
