India, with its rapidly growing population and urbanisation, faces a significant challenge in combating vehicular pollution. The recent case of pollutionin Delhi and other prominent cities across India indicates a surge in vehicular pollution. The growth in number of vehicles on the roads has led to alarming levels of air pollution, adversely affecting public health and the environment.
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While the attention from policymakers is prominent, there has also been a growing awareness of the need to address with a particular focus on transitioning to cleaner and more sustainable modes of transportation. Electric vehicles (EVs) emerge as a promising solution to tackle vehicular pollution and pave the way towards a greener and healthier future for India.
Alarming vehicular pollution
The Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR) in 2023 found that a leading cause of air pollution was linked to an increase in automobiles which further resulted in a decline in air quality scores. More recent studies have indicated how air quality has worsened across most metropolitan cities. According to a Greenpeace study, the air in Bengaluru was worse than WHO guidelines, while Hyderabad citizens found it difficult to breathe with vehicles producing a whopping 1,500 tonnes of daily vehicular pollution load.
The rising number of vehicles, especially in major cities, has contributed to elevated levels of air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants have severe consequences on air quality, leading to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues among the population. Additionally, vehicular pollution contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating the challenge of climate change.
Highway to sustainability
Electric vehicles represent a clean and sustainable alternative to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles. The adoption of electric vehicles can provide several key benefits in the context of India’s struggle with vehicular pollution.
In comparison with conventional vehicles that burn fossil fuels, electric vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions. This can lead to a substantial reduction in the levels of harmful pollutants, improving air quality and public health. This could further reduce India’s dependence on fossil fuels which is a huge drag on the government exchequer – read costly imports. Electric vehicles can help reduce this dependence by utilising domestically generated electricity, promoting energy security and sustainability. Although India relies on coal to produce electricity which may defeat the purpose of EVs, there is a likelihood that it be replaced by renewable sources such as wind, solar or even hydrogen. EVs become even more eco-friendly when charged using electricity generated from clean energy sources.
For end-consumers, plying on an EV is cheaper compared to conventional fuels. Many governments worldwide, including India, are introducing incentives and subsidies to promote the adoption of electric vehicles. These incentives may include tax breaks, reduced registration fees, and financial support for charging infrastructure development. Also, several manufacturers have adopted smart strategies to reduce even the initial cost of buying an electric vehicle thereby making them on par with their ICE counterparts. Also, since EVs have fewer moving parts, maintenance costs are bare minimal.
Tackling one at a time
The ongoing COP 28 summit and its representations indicate how crucial safeguarding the environment is and the need to curb pollution. Even as better research and corporate interest await the EV sector, there is a dire need to educate the public about the benefits of electric vehicles and dispel myths regarding range anxiety and charging infrastructure.
Adoption of electric vehicles is a crucial step towards mitigating vehicular pollution in India. As the country works towards achieving its environmental goals, policymakers, businesses, and individuals must collaborate to overcome challenges and promote the widespread use of electric vehicles. By embracing cleaner and sustainable transportation options, India can pave the way for a greener, healthier, more sustainable, and a non-polluting future for its citizens.
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