Alternative fuel will make India number-1 in automobile sector: Nitin Gadkari

India’s automobile sector can become number-1 in the world in the next five years by using alternative fuel sources, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said at the India Today Conclave 2021.

Gadkari said it was his dream to make the Indian automobile sector the leader of the segment in the world.

Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2021, Nitin Gadkari said, “I am confident that we are going to be the number one in the world by using alternative fuel and technology within five years.”

“All reputed brands from around the world are in India, and it is my dream to make the automobile sector the number one in the world,” Gadkari said.

Speaking on the issue of air pollution, Nitin Gadkari said, “The most important problem which our country is facing is the problem related to pollution and the economy. And by using petrol and diesel we are going to generate air pollution in the country.”

He said, “Today, we need to save this country from air pollution, water pollution, and sound pollution.”

Speaking on the potential of electric vehicles, Nitin Gadkari pointed out that the sales of electric cars increased by 140 per cent this year globally compared to the previous year.

He said governments across the world spent $14 billion to support e-car sales. Around $125 billion has been spent on the purchase of electric vehicles across the world, he said, adding that global charging stations for the public had reached 1.3 million units.

Sky is the limit for India to be the world leader in the automobile sector, Nitin Gadkari said.

He said 30 per cent of private cars would be electric by 2030. “Seventy per cent of commercial vehicles will be electric. Forty per cent of buses and 80 per cent of two-wheelers will be electric 2030,” he said.

He said the transformation would help in reducing cost as well as in bringing down levels of pollution. Gadkari also said electric vehicles could cover a long distance if charged once, so there should not be any range anxiety. He said, “Once you charge your vehicle at home, it is fully charged and can cover a long distance the next day.”

He also said charging stations would be available for the public on highways if people are worried about the same.

Ketan Mehta, the founder-CEO of the HOP Electric Mobility, Jeetender Sharma, MD & founder of Okinawa, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at the India Today Conclave 2021.

Speaking at the Conclave, Ketan Mehta, the founder-CEO of HOP Electric Mobility, said this year had been transforming for the electric vehicles industry. He said, “Year 2030 onwards, every vehicle that will be sold will be electric. The kind of interest we are seeing from people, from tier one to tier four towns, is amazing.”

He said, “People are just flocking, buying technology, which some might say is not proven in India but people are adopting it widely, especially when it comes to two-wheelers. Our stocks get finished overnight.”

“Rs 105 petrol along with the scrapping policy among other things is helping us in driving that future,” he said.

Talking about the need to work towards a sustainable future, he said, “After Covid this year, everybody realized that we needed to work for a sustainable future and work for solar energy, electric vehicles and technologies which could sustain us.”

He said, “The richest people in the world are already setting up colonies on Mars. It’s insane. To make earth sustainable, these are the things which will have to be done now, otherwise, it will be too late.”

Jeetender Sharma, MD & founder of Okinawa, spoke on range anxiety — an important issue concerning mass adoption of electric vehicles.

He said, “Indian customers always think from where they will fill the fuel. When it comes to electric vehicles, they think about infrastructure such as charging stations and whether they will be able to come back home once they start. It’s in their minds.”

He said, “You cannot go beyond 400 km in four-wheelers or 70-80 km in two-wheelers except for in rare circumstances. Our highest two-wheeler range in Okinawa goes up to 140 km on a single charge and we have fast charging by which you can travel up to 20 km in 10 minutes. You can charge your vehicle anywhere just the way you charge your mobile phone.”

“It is just anxiety. It’s not the real cause. It’s about awareness. People are not aware of electric vehicles. Fast charging is already there and with more awareness this anxiety can be removed. Customers need to be made aware of electric vehicles,” he said.

Source: India Today

Tags: Air Pollution, Alternative Fuel, Automobile Sector, Nitin Gadkari