NEWS

• On August 26, 2025, PM Modi flagged off “e-Vitara”, Maruti Suzuki’s first Made-in-India global Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) from the Hansalpur plant, Ahmedabad.
• The vehicle will be exported to Europe and Japan.
• Also inaugurated: local production of hybrid battery electrodes at the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant, boosting domestic EV ecosystem.

HIGHLIGHTS

• By 2030:
  • 80% of two- & three-wheelers electric.
  • 40% of buses electric.
  • 30% of private cars electric.
• Budget 2025: Import duties on lithium-ion battery materials removed to promote local manufacturing.

Environmental Impact

• Study by IIT Roorkee & ICCT: BEVs in India emit 38% less CO₂e per km than ICE vehicles.
• Greater benefits possible with a cleaner power grid.

Types of Electric Vehicles (EVs)

1. BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles): Fully powered by electricity; most efficient.
2. PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid EVs): Engine + externally charged battery.
3. HEVs (Hybrid EVs): Petrol engine + motor; less efficient.
4. FCEVs (Fuel Cell EVs): Hydrogen-based; emission only heat & water.

Key Government Schemes

• PM E-Drive (2024): Replaces FAME; incentives for EVs & charging infra.
• e-AMRIT Portal: EV knowledge hub by NITI Aayog.
• PLI-Auto (2020): Boosts domestic AAT products with min. 50% value addition.
• PM e-Bus Sewa (2024): ₹3,435 crore scheme to deploy 38,000+ e-buses.

Beyond Lithium – Sodium-Ion Battery

• Developed by JNCASR, Bengaluru:
  • Charges up to 80% in 6 minutes.
  • Lasts 3,000+ cycles.
• Advantages: Abundant, cheaper sodium (extractable from seawater), reduces dependence on lithium dominated by China.
• Based on NASICON-type chemistry – promising for India’s energy security.