Electric mobility has been identified as a critical element for achieving the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, according to Rajiv Gauba, a member of NITI Aayog. He described the comprehensive shift towards cleaner transportation as both an economic and environmental imperative for India. This statement was made during the NITI Aayog Workshop on State EV Policies, coinciding with the release of the second edition of the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) report.

Gauba articulated that the global trend towards electric mobility is already evident and noted that geopolitical tensions could further expedite this transition. He referenced the recent crisis in West Asia as a potential turning point for the electric mobility landscape, drawing parallels to the oil crises of the 1970s that significantly influenced fuel efficiency initiatives worldwide.

Current Market Trends and Domestic Vulnerabilities

To illustrate the growing global acceptance of electric vehicles, Gauba provided statistics on international sales. In 2025, approximately one-tenth of new car sales in the United States were electric, over a quarter in the European Union, and more than half in China. These figures are expected to continue rising across different markets.

In light of India’s substantial reliance on imported crude oil, Gauba emphasised the urgency to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. Currently, the country depends on foreign suppliers for nearly 89 per cent of its oil needs. This dependence is anticipated to grow alongside increasing vehicle ownership unless there is a significant uptick in the use of electric vehicles within the country.

He highlighted the importance of aligning India’s automotive sector with global electric mobility trends, noting that the sector accounts for roughly 7.1 per cent of the national GDP and generates nearly 1.9 crore jobs. Additionally, Gauba pointed out the serious public health costs related to pollution from vehicles, particularly in urban areas like Delhi.

Government Initiatives and State-Level Progress

Discussing government financial commitments, Gauba revealed that over Rs 92,000 crore has been allocated to various initiatives such as FAME, PM E-DRIVE, and PM E-bus Sewa. Furthermore, he mentioned two production-linked incentive schemes focusing on automobiles and advanced battery manufacturing as part of efforts to enhance domestic production capabilities.

He also noted that the expansion of charging infrastructure is being driven by both oil marketing companies and private sector entities, citing the recently launched Unified Bharat e-Charge app aimed at improving accessibility for the public. This development reflects a concerted effort to facilitate electric vehicle adoption through enhanced infrastructure.

At the state level, Gauba pointed out that 29 out of 36 States and Union Territories have established dedicated electric vehicle policies. According to the IEMI data, the highest state score increased from 77 to 84 in the past year, while the median score rose from 36 to 40, indicating overall progress in state-level electric mobility initiatives.

Gauba also highlighted that the varying strategies employed by different states, which are informed by their unique industrial contexts and geographic characteristics, should be viewed as strengths. He encouraged states to focus on electrifying public transportation, developing reliable and well-distributed charging networks, and investing in local research and innovative solutions.

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