India's electric mobility transition focuses on public transport

Experts suggest that India’s transition to electric mobility should prioritize public and shared transport systems over personal electric vehicles to effectively address urban congestion and air quality.

Saurabh Patwardhan, Director of Prasanna Purple Mobility, indicates that intercity and city bus operations will be the primary drivers of electric vehicle growth over the next five years. He predicts that nearly 60% of new private intercity bus deployments on routes under 400 km could be electric by 2030, driven by favorable economics and improving charging infrastructure. Additionally, government initiatives like PM e-Bus Sewa could see 40,000 to 50,000 electric city buses operating in India by the end of the decade.

Ashish Verma, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science, emphasizes a systems approach to sustainable transportation. He argues that electric buses, metro rail, and suburban trains must be central to transport planning to maximize passenger kilometers per unit of energy. This strategy aims to build resilience against fuel-price shocks and improve urban liveability.