Against the target of 6 million EV and hybrids by 2020, only 22,000 units were sold in FY16. EV manufacturers are pleading for market development via costs reduction and expanding charging infrastructure. Govt EV purchases will help and encourage other public and private enterprises to join in.

4 PSUs are making bold moves to provide infrastructure and technology solutions (see links). BHEL is setting up an exchange EV supply chain for large and small vehicles. Power Grid will build battery charging points to suit all future types including flow batteries. NTPC will build charging points and battery swapping stations for the emerging EV operators. These could be located in parking lots. ISRO is going to lease Li technology. There is scope to reuse spent EV batteries and reduce EV life-cycle costs. Smart cities missions will create charging infrastructure and popularize EVs.

"Electric city buses make sense because they can be charged safely in depots overnight. Huge benefits were seen in maintenance & fuel, longer life, fewer breakdowns and zero pollution. Intercity coaches should be hybrid with replaceable battery packs. Ditto commercial trunks. Private logistic firms can offer charging and battery replacement for smaller operators". Link

Notes: Bhel wants to manufacture electric vehicles including buses, two-wheelers and boats. It has signed deals with Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors for bus systems. It is in talks with foreign makes like Mitsubishi and Hitachi. Power Grid Corp wants to move into battery storage.

Government eyes leasing of electric vehicles in clean energy push