Mains
Environment/Economics (Infrastructure)
E-Mobility Sector in India
Context
Recently, a report on e-mobility in India commissioned by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) was released.
About
● The report has been titled ‘The E-mobility R&D Roadmap’.
● It has been prepared by the Automotive Research Association of India and commissioned by the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) to the Government of India.
What is E-Mobility? What are the advantages of E-Mobility in India?
● Electro-mobility is also known as e-mobility. It is the principle of using electric propulsion for various vehicles. It includes cars, buses, trucks and off-road vehicles, as well as ships, ferries and other sea-going vessels.
● It allows us to move away from CO2-emitting fossil fuels towards energy supplied from electrical power sources. These power sources are charged through the electricity grid.
● Decarbonization: By decarbonising the transport sector, electro-mobility will create a cleaner, healthier and more affordable future for everyone. Transport emissions accounted for over 21% of global CO2 emissions.
● The transport sector of India is the third most greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting sector. It accounted for 14 per cent of our energy-related CO2 emissions.
State of E-Mobility in India
● India has taken a great leap towards the adoption of E-Mobility in India.
● FAME II Scheme: Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) II scheme launched by the central government provided subsidies for EVs and funding for EV charging infrastructure.
● FDI Policy: 100% FDI is allowed under this sector under the automatic route.
● PLI in Battery Manufacturing: Production Linked Incentive Scheme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) (Incentives worth INR 18,100 Cr) has been provided by GoI.
● Future Prospects: Government of India targets 30% electric vehicles by 2030. India has established an objective to elevate the proportion of electric vehicle (EV) sales to 30% in private cars, 70% in commercial vehicles, 40% in buses, and 80% in two-wheelers and three-wheelers by the year 2030. If the target is achieved, India will have 80 million EVs on Indian roads by 2030.
● Charging Infrastructure: On the infrastructure side, as of February 2024, there are 12,146 operational public EV charging stations nationwide.
● Maharashtra has the highest number of EV charging stations and is followed by Delhi and other states.
● Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has emphasized there is a necessity to establish at least 1.32 million charging stations in India by 2030 to facilitate the rapid growth of electric vehicles, requiring over 4,00,000 installations annually.
Highlights of the E-Mobility R&D Roadmap Report
The report has categorized the E-Mobility Sector into different sub-sectors. These are
1) Energy Storage Cells,
2) Electric Vehicle Aggregates,
3) Materials and Recycling and,
4) Charging and Refueling.
A strategic investment of ₹1,151 crores over five years in these sectors can yield India its desired results in the electric e-mobility sector.
● Infrastructure and Investment: The report has strategically showcased the need to provide optimum infrastructure and investment in each sector so that India will be able to achieve its targets in the electric mobility sector.
● Research and Development (R&D): The research projects had been identified by the experts on both technology deployment and market leadership as the primary objective. These research projects will be assigned based on their potential impact on achieving national energy independence, the probability of implementation within the set timelines, market dominance, and their ability to leverage existing infrastructure and resources.
Conclusion
India’s target to achieve 30% of electric mobility by 2030 can only be achieved when there will be larger investment coupled with Research and Development tailor-made for India Specific need. The report has estimated adequate and well-balanced monetary support for India’s target in the E-Mobility sector. It has given equal emphasis on every component and sub-component of E-Mobility. With a significant contribution of the transport sector in Green House Gas Emissions (GHGs), India’s Intended Nationally Determined Targets (INDCs) can only be achieved when it implements sustainable solutions for such sectors.
Source: The Hindu, India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), Invest India
Prelims
Polity
Supreme Court quashes Bihar Government decision to classify Tanti-Tantwa as Schedule Caste
Context
The apex court has quashed a Bihar government decision which classified Tanti-Tantwa as Schedule Caste.
About
● Tanti-Tantwa Community was previously covered under Extremely Backward Caste Community.
● It was given Schedule Caste status by the state government which passed a resolution on July 1, 2015.
● The resolution overrode the Registrar General of India which had previously not supported the proposal.
The Judgement
● The Supreme Court Monday ruled that the states cannot make changes to the Scheduled Caste list published under Article 341 of the Constitution.
● It quashed the 2015 Bihar government notification which categorized the Tanti-Tantwa community as Scheduled Caste.
● Restoring Back to EBCs: It further ordered that the group should be reverted to its original category of Extremely Backward Class.
● Release the Quota: It further directed such posts of the Scheduled Castes quota availed by the Tanti-Tantwa community based on resolution must be returned to the Scheduled Castes category.
● Accommodate the Candidates: The apex court also directed the state to accommodate the selected candidates from the SC quota to the EBC category without affecting their Job status.
Amendment of the Schedule Caste List
● Power of the Parliament: The Scheduled Castes list has been specified under the notification under Clause-1. It can be amended or altered only by a law made by the Parliament.
● Article 341: As per Article 341 of the constitution neither the central government nor the President can make any amendments or changes in the notification issued under Clause-1 without a law made by the Parliament.
Conclusion
For political advantages, various state governments have started to provide reservation benefits to several communities that are not entitled to such benefits as per the provisions of the constitution. The Supreme Court in such cases has fulfilled its duties as ‘Guardian of the Constitution’ by striking off any such move by centre or state governments.
Mains Questions
1. “Electro-Mobility in India has been rising with a pace replacing the conventional modes of transportation.” Analyze.
2. Discuss the process by which any Scheduled Caste can be added to the existing list of SC. Can the Central government with a notification do so?
Prelims
1. Consider the following statements with reference to the addition of a caste in the list of Scheduled Caste;
1) It can be done by a state government by passing a resolution in the Legislative Assembly of a state.
2) It can be done by a notification of the Central Government.
3) It can be amended or altered only by a law made by the Parliament.
Which of the following statements is/are Correct?
A. One Only
B. Two Only
C. All Three
D. None
Answer: A
2. Consider the following statements with respect to E-Mobility Sector in India:
1) 100% FDI is allowed in this sector under the automatic route.
2) The Production Linked Incentive Scheme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) has been provided by the government.
3) The government of India targets 30% electric vehicles on the road by 2030.
Which of the following statements is/are Correct?
A. One Only
B. Two Only
C. All Three
D. None
Answer: C
