Gadkari also added that he envisions self-reliance for the country in terms of electric vehicle batteries in the coming years
Keeping in line with the government’s vision to make India self-reliant or ‘Atmanirbhar’, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari has said that by 2030, 80 per cent of two-wheelers and 30 per cent of private vehicles will be electric.
Gadkari was speaking at the Game Changers: Climate Action session at the India Today Conclave 2021, he envisions the same self-reliance for the country in terms of electric vehicle batteries in the coming years.
He also said that with petrol and diesel being widely used, the import bill currently is at Rs 8 lakh crore, which is likely to increase to Rs 25 lakh crore in the next five years. Hence, electric vehicles (EVs), which will ensure a lower import bill, lesser pollution, and indigenous production, is the solution.
“Intelligent manufacturing capability, young manpower, avail of material, reducing production cost, not compromising on quality… sky is the limit,” he said while elaborating on his plans for the EV sector in India.
Lithium, too, is now 80 per cent made in India and there is no shortage, the minister said, addressing fears of a shortage and import concerns of lithium-ion. “Its cost is getting less too. Do not think lithium-ion is a problem,” he said.
He added that he wants to make India’s automobile sector the topmost in the world.
Gadkari stated that the government is establishing hundreds of pumps in the national highways and EV chargers will be added in all of them.
Earlier in July, Gadkari had revealed that the government is planning to set up an institution to fund EV-focused businesses. Gadkari also said the government is planning to bring incentives for construction equipment vehicles to encourage them to become electric ones.
