Electric cars are slowly but steadily gaining popularity in India, for they promise to be greener and more practical options for the Indian consumer, and compared to the internal combustion engined car, an electric car is bound to offer a dramatically lower operating cost. We look at the possibilities of India becoming an important market for electric cars in the future.What exactly is an electric car?
Electric cars are cars propelled by electric motors that use energy that is stored in rechargeable batteries, compared to the burning of fuel that happens in an internal combustion engine. While plug-in hybrid electric cars use a blend of an internal combustion engine and batteries, a fully electric car uses on-board battery packs. In the Indian market, we currently have the Tata Nexon EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, Tata Tigor EV, MG ZS EV and of course, the upcoming Porsche Taycan. And in order to get a large range of such models, India will have to work towards becoming an all-important EV nation. A lot of global auto manufacturers have already started putting their electric vehicles to the test in India, while Tesla motors may also make its debut in India soon.
Advantages of electric cars
We know for a fact that electric cars are cheaper to run than petrol or diesel-engined cars. From a fuel and maintenance point of view, EVs are 75-80% cheaper, particularly baring in mind the consumers who use their cars regularly. It is cheaper to charge a battery than refuel a conventional fuel tank. Also, EVs don’t consist of as many moving components as a fuel-powered car, further reducing the cost of maintenance. EVs not only save the environment, but also offer better performance overall.
Manufacturing is expensive
Most auto manufacturers will find it a challenge to locally produce their EVs in India, but the issue has to be catered to if India has plans of becoming an EV-driven nation. Because this is bound to directly impact the purchasing potential of customers. Hopefully, demand increases gradually, making manufactures to offer advancements in the technology, further decreasing the cost of production.
Quality is important
As far as quality is concerned, India is not lagging behind. Quality expectations are met and car manufacturers making cars in the premium segment have access to local and global EV manufacturers. And with the global models coming in at a premium, India is forced to keep up with the competition for it to stay afloat.
Domestic production is required
India imports a whole lot of batteries from Taiwan, South Korea and China. This needs to change, as setting up a local cell manufacturing facility could reduce the import value by 30%, barring the import of raw materials. India will have to stop being dependent on other countries, and needs to focus on local production of the entire battery pack.
Charging infrastructure is needed
This will remain the biggest challenge to promote and encourage EVs in India, for charging infrastructure will have to be combined with the fuel stations that currently exist along with other locations closer to homes as well. EV charging station vendors are not sure of the standard that should be adopted for fast charging. Also, maintenance and repair options have to improve considering consumers always look at a nation-wide service network.
Cheap cost of ownership
In order to make the purchase easy and bring about awareness about existing tax benefits and financing options, the government will have come up with incentives separately for customers. Battery life should also be extended with the help of trying to figure out and reduce the total cost of ownership. Taxi mobility companies like Uber and Ola have already introduced EVs in their fleets. Also, grab the latest info on the new cars, only at autoX.