Driving toward zero emissions: Renewable-powered charging infrastructure for India's Electric Vehicles
The urgency to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels is now more critical than ever. Sectors are urged to reduce their Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. The transport sector poses one of the most significant challenges to climate policy and decarbonising transportation is crucial for meeting global sustainability goals, aligning with climate targets and mitigating severe climate impacts.
Decarbonising the transport sector is crucial for several reasons, including its significant role in reducing GHG emissions, enhancing energy security, improving air quality and generating economic benefits such as jobs in the Electric Vehicles (EVs) manufacturing and allied sectors and sustainable urban development.
- Shailesh Tyagi, Partner, Deloitte India
Electrification as a strategy for decarbonisation of the transport sector
The electrification of the transport sector is widely seen as an effective method for reducing dependence on petroleum products and minimising the environmental impact of transportation. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are emerging as the best alternative across transport categories, particularly for Passenger Cars (PCs) and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs), due to their higher efficiency compared with hydrogen-based Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCEVs).
Electrification offers the dual benefits of reduced GHG emissions and decreased dependency on oil imports, enhancing energy security.
Global EV sales 2017–2029 (Million Units)
Environmental benefits of EV
India's EV growth story
The automobile industry is one of the main pillars of the Indian economy, contributing over 7 percent to the country’s GDP. Road transport accounts for around 12 percent of India’s energy-related CO2 emissions and is a key contributor to urban air pollution.
India is poised to become one of the largest EV markets in the world by 2030, with the market expected to grow at an average annual rate of 49 percent between 2021 and 2030. India promotes EV adoption by implementing favourable central government and state level policies, regulations and schemes such as Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and EVs (FAME) and National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP).
In addition, measures such as implementing draft-battery swapping policies and launching National E-bus programmes aim to boost EV sales in India.
JOULE is a joint action project led by The Climate Pledge (TCP). The Pledge is a commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, uniting the world’s top companies to accelerate joint action, cross-sector collaboration and responsible change. Signatories from various industries, including manufacturing, materials, power generation and healthcare, commit to regular reporting, carbon elimination and neutralising remaining emissions with credible offsets.
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JOULE impact
The JOULE project is a groundbreaking initiative designed to revolutionise urban mobility by creating a self-sustaining, scalable and replicable model for renewable-powered EV charging infrastructure. This initiative drives collaboration among diverse stakeholders, facilitating the widespread adoption of zero-emission vehicles while ensuring mutually beneficial outcomes for those involved.
Anticipated outcomes of the JOULE project
Rohit Berry
