Niti Aayog asks automakers for an action plan to switch to EVs by 2025

New Delhi: Government think-tank NITI Aayog has solicited a concrete action plan from two and three-wheeler makers on how to transition to electric mobility keeping in mind the 2025 deadline, sources said. The plan is to be submitted to the Commission in the next two weeks. The word that emerged from a meeting of the manufacturers and start-up electric vehicle (EV) makers called by NITI Aayog on Friday was that the industry was cautioned if they do not take steps to address pollution issues, the judiciary will step in.

"Without a policy and road map, a transition to EVs cannot happen. Policies cannot be kept fuzzy. With 14 of 15 most-polluted cities are in India, if steps are not taken up by the government and industry, then Indian court's would step in," a senior government official said.

EV three-wheelers by 2023?

The Niti Aayog plans to transition to fully electric three-wheelers by 2023 and two-wheelers with an engine capacity less than 150 cc by 2025. The source added that India has already missed the electronics revolution and semi-conductor revolution, therefore it should not miss the electric mobility revolution.

The official said that even if the established players do not jump in to claim a piece of the pie, start-ups will, adding that it has happened in China already. The person, however, said that the decision to switch to EVs is not something that the government is going to thrust upon the industry.

The great divide in the industry

According to sources, the meeting brought to the fore a clear divide between established conventional manufacturers like Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, HMSI and TVS and start-ups like Revolt Intellicorp, Ather Energy, Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions and Tork Motors, who want to switch to EVs faster.

"We want the conversion to EVs to happen quickly, even as early as 2023 keeping in mind pollution issues," Revolt Intellicorp founder Rahul Sharma said.

Who all attended the meeting?

The meeting was attended by representatives from major two-wheeler manufacturers, including Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj, TVS Motor Co Chairman Venu Srinivasan, Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) President & CEO Minoru Kato.