The year 2020 was unlike any other, bringing chaos to the political, economic, healthcare, and, most importantly, human levels. Many industries came to a halt as a result of the Covid-19 lockdowns. According to The Economic Times, one of the worst-affected industries was the automobile industry, which lost $1.2-2.0 billion per month during the lockdowns.

However, the business is gradually progressively regaining its footing. And the leaders in the automotive and mobility industries are re-entering the race. Despite the market conditions, the electric transportation industry continues to grow. More than half a million people bought electric automobiles in the first few months of this year alone. The demand in India is gradually expanding. In 2021, 1.35 lakh electric vehicles have been registered. Is this the decade in which we entirely switch to electric vehicles and transform how we commute? Let us investigate why this is the case.

Manufacturers and end-users alike are drawn to low-cost products.
Today, over one million e-rickshaws ply India’s streets, transporting hundreds of people every day, and this increased EV usage is not due to reaching sustainability. Yes, it is necessary, but the rise in EV demand is due to affordability and user satisfaction.

When compared to traditional bikes and scooters, electric vehicles have fewer moving parts, giving them a futuristic appearance. They are useful in a variety of ways. You may charge them at home, saving time and money by avoiding excursions to the tiring gas stations.

We can quickly improve them with the help of machine learning algorithms, making them adaptive to the needs of the rider. Because they have sensors, EVs can also track the power and health of their vehicles. As a result, it all contributes to why electric mobility is the way of the future and why it’s more than simply an electric scooter.

Another argument for EV’s brighter future is the mobility revolution. When the first scooter arrived, it was in little amounts that grew over time to deliver what it does now. Because we have improved technology, rather than increments, we will most likely witness a step or leap forward. The transition will be rapid, similar to the transition from cell phones to smartphones. As a result, it has paved the way for future investors.

Electric is the most environmentally friendly option
Trucks were the first to dominate the shipping sector in India, according to the evolution of transportation in the country. Then came the introduction of additional forms of transportation, including as cars, scooters, and rickshaws, which gradually altered the entire delivery ecosystem, giving the mobility business and economy a new appearance.

It did, however, have a major flaw: carbon emissions. According to a survey published by IQAir, India now has 22 of the top 30 most polluted cities in the world, and we need renewable energy to combat pollution. To attain this goal, India is exploring for electric mobility solutions so that it can meet its zero-greenhouse-emissions target by the year 2050.

Electric mobility manufacturers in India have been working with the government to encourage EV consumption. Electric motorcycles and scooters are widely used in India’s major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Noida, and other areas.

Indeed, Uttar Pradesh—home to India’s most polluted city, Ghaziabad—Bihar, and Karnataka—are the top three states in terms of EV sales in FY21. According to the CEEW data, electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers accounted for 96 percent of all EV sales.

Other sectors, as well as e-commerce behemoths, have contributed to the EV craze. Flipkart, India’s largest e-commerce company, has partnered with Hero Electric, the country’s leading electric scooter manufacturer, to deploy over 25,000 electric scooters by 2030. This arrangement will lower the company’s operating costs, save money on fuel and maintenance, and provide job opportunities to people who do not have access to a vehicle. As a result, go-green and electric mobility programmes have propelled the EV business, which is expected to grow in the future years.

Initiatives by the government
The Indian government recognises the importance of environmental sustainability and clean energy. The government has launched a number of efforts to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles. The government has created initiatives such as ‘Switch Delhi’ and ‘Go Electric’ to raise electric awareness.

The recently revamped FAME II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India plan) scheme now provides a total incentive of 15,000 KWh for electric two-wheelers, which is double the previous subsidy. According to Mr. Naveen Munjal, Managing Director, Hero Electric Vehicles Pvt Ltd, this measure will raise EV demand in the market, “potentially turning 20% of the market to electric.”

Allowing Tesla, one of the most well-known electric vehicle manufacturers in the world, to sell cars is a positive step. The arrival of the IT behemoth in India will boost electric vehicle sales. Putting government laws in place to encourage the establishment of charging stations is also a positive step. Future collaborations with EV manufacturers are also speeding up the process.

There are still many miles to go
There’s no arguing that electric vehicles are the way of the future, and they have a lot to offer. There is, however, a great deal to be done. To begin with, the expense of obtaining these electric automobiles is expensive upfront. The government has taken initiatives to make electric vehicles more affordable. More projects, on the other hand, can help meet the urgent need for renewable energy.

Second, due to traffic congestion, India has issues with parking and space. India needs space to put charging stations, which we can find in locations like schools, hospitals, and houses, as long as the rules allow it. Third, the cost of Lithium-ion batteries for EVs is considerable, but this will only fall over time as India’s production increases.

Electric mobility has a brighter future ahead of it. However, if both the government and mobility leaders contribute to the electric transportation ecosystem, it will accelerate at a breakneck speed.