Daily Current Affairs : 11-July-2023
India’s electric mobility plan revolves around transitioning from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). BEVs, also known as Electric Vehicles (EVs), are fully electric vehicles powered by rechargeable batteries. These vehicles hold the promise of a greener and more sustainable transportation future, as they produce zero tailpipe emissions, reducing air pollution and mitigating the impact of climate change.
Understanding BEVs
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are a specific category of Electric Vehicles that qualify for upfront tax incentives. Unlike hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) or plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), BEVs solely rely on electric power for propulsion. These vehicles do not have internal combustion engines or fuel tanks. Instead, they are equipped with rechargeable battery packs that draw energy from the grid to drive the vehicle.
Types of Electric Vehicles
- Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs): Conventional hybrid electric vehicles combine a traditional ICE system with an electric propulsion system. The onboard battery in these hybrids is charged when the internal combustion engine powers the drivetrain. Though they improve fuel efficiency, they are not fully electric and still emit tailpipe pollutants.
- Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs): PHEVs, like HEVs, have both an internal combustion engine and an electric drivetrain. However, they can be plugged into a power source to recharge their batteries, allowing for electric-only operation for shorter distances.
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): As mentioned earlier, BEVs solely rely on electric power from rechargeable batteries and do not have internal combustion engines or fuel tanks. They are true zero-emission vehicles.
- Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs): FCVs use hydrogen to generate electricity to power an onboard electric motor. The only byproduct of this process is water, making FCVs another type of EV.
Challenges in Promoting BEVs
- Upfront Subsidies: Many countries have used upfront subsidies to promote EV adoption, but this approach heavily relies on government funding. In India, the subsidy benefits often reach middle and upper-middle-class buyers rather than the intended target of the lower-income groups.
- Charging Network: Establishing a robust charging infrastructure is crucial for widespread BEV adoption. India faces a significant challenge in developing an adequate charging network, especially for two- and three-wheelers, which dominate the vehicle mix in the country.
- Electricity Source: While BEVs are zero-emission at the tailpipe, their environmental impact depends on the electricity sources used for charging. In India, where a large proportion of electricity is still generated from coal-fired thermal plants, the overall emissions reduction potential of BEVs may be limited.
- Dependency on Lithium-ion Batteries: India’s push towards BEVs raises concerns about its heavy reliance on lithium-ion batteries. With over 90% of global lithium production concentrated in a few countries, India would face challenges in securing a stable supply of batteries for its EV industry.
Alternative Technologies
- Hybrids: Hybrid vehicles act as an intermediate step between traditional ICE vehicles and full electric vehicles. They improve fuel efficiency through electrification while avoiding the need for extensive charging infrastructure.
- Ethanol & Flex Fuel: Flex fuel vehicles can run on different types of fuels, including ethanol and petrol. These vehicles provide greater fuel options but still rely on internal combustion engines.
- Fuel Cell Vehicles & Hydrogen ICE: Fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen to generate electricity, offering zero emissions. Hydrogen ICE vehicles, on the other hand, use hydrogen to power internal combustion engines but are not zero-emission.
- Synthetic Fuels: Porsche is developing synthetic fuels that can make internal combustion engines as clean as EVs. These eFuels are produced from carbon dioxide and hydrogen using renewable energy sources.
The Future of EVs in India
The transition to electric vehicles is not just about the automotive sector but also involves securing critical minerals like copper, lithium, nickel, and cobalt. These minerals are crucial for producing EVs, green technologies, and other modern devices. India has set ambitious targets for non-fossil energy capacity, carbon emissions reduction, and net-zero by 2070.
Important Points:
- India’s electric mobility plan aims to replace internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to reduce emissions and air pollution.
- BEVs are fully electric vehicles powered by rechargeable batteries, producing zero tailpipe emissions.
- Types of EVs include Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs), BEVs, and Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs).
- Challenges in promoting BEVs include upfront subsidies primarily benefiting middle and upper-middle-class buyers, the need for a robust charging infrastructure, and dependence on coal-fired thermal plants for electricity generation.
- India’s heavy reliance on lithium-ion batteries raises concerns about securing a stable supply from a limited pool of global producers.
- Alternative technologies include hybrids, flex fuel vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen ICE vehicles, and synthetic fuels.
- Transition to EVs requires securing critical minerals like copper, lithium, nickel, and cobalt.
- India has set ambitious targets for non-fossil energy capacity, carbon emissions reduction, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
Why In News
India’s ambitious electric mobility plan centers around the gradual replacement of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and at present, the most promising and viable battery option is the Li-ion technology. As the country aims to reduce its carbon footprint and embrace sustainable transportation solutions, the widespread adoption of Li-ion-powered BEVs is set to revolutionize India’s automotive landscape.
MCQs about India’s Electric Mobility Plan
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What are Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)?
A. Vehicles powered by gasoline engines and electric motors.
B. Fully electric vehicles with rechargeable batteries and no gasoline engine.
C. Vehicles that run on a mixture of fuels such as petrol and ethanol.
D. Vehicles that use hydrogen to generate electricity for their electric motors.
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Which type of vehicle is considered a true zero-emission vehicle?
A. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
B. Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs)
C. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
D. Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs)
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What is the primary challenge in promoting Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in India?
A. Lack of public charging stations.
B. High dependency on subsidies for EV purchases.
C. Insufficient production of critical minerals.
D. Limited availability of hybrid vehicles.
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What is an alternative technology to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) that uses hydrogen as a power source?
A. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
B. Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs)
C. Synthetic Fuel Vehicles
D. Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs)
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