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India’s Clean Mobility: A Holistic Vision
Context:
The electric vehicle (EV) revolution has been celebrated globally as a transformative step toward combating climate change. Governments are heavily investing in EVs through subsidies, supportive policies, and infrastructure development. While EVs hold potential to reduce carbon emissions, their broader environmental, social, and economic implications call for a deeper examination.
Supposed Benefits of E-Mobility:
- Reduce Tailpipe Emissions: Unlike traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, EVs produce no direct emissions.
- Support Sustainable Transportation: Promoting EVs aligns with global climate goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Issues Constraining E-Mobility: Hidden Costs:
- Resource-Intensive Manufacturing:
- Lithium and cobalt, key components of EV batteries, are extracted at high environmental and social costs.
- Lithium Mining: Concentrated in Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia, it depletes water resources in already arid regions.
- Cobalt Mining: Primarily from Congo, it involves hazardous working conditions, child labor, and geopolitical tensions.
- High Carbon Emissions During Production:
- EV production generates 60% more emissions than ICE vehicles due to energy-intensive battery manufacturing.
- For instance, producing a 60 kWh battery for a Tesla Model 3 adds 3.6-6 tonnes of CO2 to its lifecycle emissions.
- Scarcity of Minerals: EVs consume six times more scarce minerals than ICE vehicles, potentially leading to resource conflicts.
Why Clean Mobility Is Not Zero-Tailpipe Emission:
- Coal-Dependent Energy Grid:
- In India, nearly 70% of electricity is coal-based. Charging EVs using coal-generated power limits their environmental advantage.
- Studies show EVs in coal-reliant grids have lifecycle emissions only marginally lower than modern ICE vehicles.
- Battery Disposal Challenges:
- EV batteries last 8-15 years, after which their disposal becomes a significant issue.
- Limited recycling infrastructure in India risks toxic contamination from materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
Challenges of Clean Mobility in the Indian Context:
- High Costs:
- EVs, such as the Tata Nexon EV priced at ₹15 lakh, are significantly more expensive than their petrol counterparts (around ₹7.5 lakh).
- With an average per capita income of ₹1.23 lakh, affordability remains a barrier.
- Infrastructure Deficit: India needs 10 million public charging stations by 2030 but currently has fewer than 5,000.
- Dependence on China: India relies heavily on China for critical minerals, posing geopolitical risks.
A Broader Vision for Clean Mobility:
- Focus on Public Transport Electrification: Prioritise electric buses, taxis, autorickshaws, and trains that serve millions daily.
- Diversify Technology Options: Invest in hydrogen fuel cells and solid-state batteries to reduce reliance on lithium-ion batteries.
- Strengthen Renewable Energy Integration: Decarbonise the grid to ensure EVs are truly sustainable.
- Address Socioeconomic Disparities: Ensure clean mobility solutions are affordable and accessible to all sections of society.
