The Prime Minister’s pledge to make India carbon-neutral by 2070 is a significant step towards combating climate change. While it may seem challenging, it is a necessary goal for the country’s sustainable growth and to address the impacts of climate change, which will disproportionately affect India.
India’s economic growth and development are crucial for its people’s well-being and the country’s progress. However, the pursuit of economic growth must be balanced with environmental sustainability. Carbon neutrality is essential to achieve this balance as it means that India will no longer emit more carbon dioxide than it absorbs. It is true that the Western world grew on the back of cheap and plentiful carbon during the twentieth century, leading to significant carbon emissions and climate change. However, India has the opportunity to adopt sustainable growth models that prioritize renewable energy and clean technologies, which were not available during the West’s industrialization. By taking a proactive approach towards sustainability, India can avoid the worst impacts of climate change, which are projected to have severe consequences for the country, including rising sea levels, droughts, and food shortages. India’s pledge to become carbon-neutral by 2070 is a necessary step towards a sustainable future. It is essential to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability to ensure a prosperous future for India and its people. India’s net imports of petroleum products in December 2022 totaling $11.9 billion highlight the country’s heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels. It is crucial for India to diversify its energy mix and embrace electric mobility to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. However, merely transitioning to electric vehicles is not enough. India must also focus on developing a robust ecosystem for manufacturing key components of the electric vehicle stack, including batteries, motors, and power electronics. This will help the country become self-reliant and own the entire value chain for electric vehicles, creating new opportunities for the economy and reducing dependence on imports.
India’s existing automotive industry and engineering talent can be leveraged to build a domestic electric vehicle manufacturing ecosystem. Still, it will require significant investment in research and development, infrastructure, and policy support to achieve this goal. The government has already taken some steps to promote electric mobility, such as providing incentives for electric vehicle adoption, setting up charging infrastructure, and promoting domestic manufacturing of electric vehicles and components. However, more significant efforts are needed to create a thriving ecosystem for electric vehicle manufacturing and deployment in India.
Transitioning to electric mobility is essential for India’s sustainable future, but it must also focus on building a domestic manufacturing ecosystem for key electric vehicle components to reduce dependence on imports and create new economic opportunities.