Target of 1.1 Crore EVs Annually on Roads by 2030: MeitY

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is actively working to promote electric vehicles (EVs) and encourage indigenous technology. Government initiatives, research and development (R&D) efforts, and a focus on "Made in India" products are playing a vital role in this direction.

In this interview, MeitY's Scientist-G and Group Coordinator, Sunita Verma, shed light on the government's progress in the EV sector, the challenges it faces, and its future plans. She provided detailed insights into the ambitious goals for EVs by 2030, efforts towards self-reliance, and ongoing R&D programs to drive innovation.

How is MeitY progressing in electric vehicles, and what new research and innovations are being worked on?

Sunita Verma: If we look at the EV sector, motors, controllers, battery management systems, converters, and chargers are still being imported. Our mission is that by 2030, 1.1 Crore EVs should be on the road every year, with a 35% market penetration. Import dependency alone is insufficient to achieve this.

We need to become self-reliant. To this end, we have launched an R&D program focused on developing EV sub-systems. This program supports academic institutions, R&D organizations, startups, and industries. It covers all sub-systems for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and heavy vehicles.

Our plan is for R&D institutions to create sub-systems with innovative ideas, which are then scaled up with the help of startups and industries. Following this, OEMs and vehicle manufacturers will adopt these "Made in India" components.

What challenges did you face in EV R&D, and how were they addressed?

Sunita Verma: First and foremost, being cost-competitive in the market is essential since imported systems are available at very aggressive prices. We addressed this through "gap funding" and by focusing on innovation to reduce costs.

Second, the lack of adequate testing facilities was a challenge. The government has now set up good testing infrastructure. Third, creating prototypes of the system was also a hurdle. Once a system is developed, it is necessary to trial it on a small scale (5-15 units) as prototypes.

Moreover, there is a significant need to work on standards. While we adopt international standards, it is essential to gain global recognition for our innovative solutions.

What are MeitY’s plans for 2025?

Sunita Verma: Our plan is to manufacture and adopt more and more sub-components within the country. Until now, we have focused on two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and e-rickshaws. Moving forward, our focus is shifting to sub-components for four-wheelers and heavy vehicles. Our goal is to bring these sub-components to the market as quickly as possible.

Conclusion

MeitY is focused on the "Made in India" development of EV sub-systems and achieving global recognition for these innovations. By 2025, MeitY aims to develop self-reliant sub-components for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and heavy vehicles. According to Sunita Verma, this is a crucial step in driving innovation and positioning India at the forefront of global EV technology.