Renewable Energy

India’s EV Revolution: Role of renewable energy in sustainable mobility

admin / April 2, 2025

By Sat Singh, Executive Director, Impact Finance India stands at the intersection of two major transitions – Electrification of transport and Rapid renewable energy adoption. With ambitious targets of 30 percent electric vehicle (EV) penetration by 2030 and 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power capacity, the country has an opportunity to align these shifts. However, an overlooked challenge is that India’s EV ecosystem still relies heavily on coal-based electricity, limiting its sustainability potential. The real question is: can India de-carbonise mobility while ensuring a green energy transition? This article explores the current energy mix powering EVs, the potential of renewable-powered charging infrastructure, and innovative solutions like vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and green hydrogen. The dirty secret of India’s EVs: Coal powered mobility? EVs are often marketed as “zero-emission vehicles,” but their environmental benefits depend entirely on the source of electricity used for charging. Currently, over 70 per cent of India’s electricity is generated from coal. This means that while an EV produces no tailpipe emissions, it indirectly contributes to carbon emissions if charged from the conventional grid. Studies indicate that if an EV is powered by India’s existing electricity mix, its total lifetime emissions are only 30-50 per cent lower than a petrol or diesel vehicle. In contrast, when charged using 100 per cent renewable energy, lifetime emissions can be reduced by over 90 per cent. Thus, the EV revolution must go hand-in-hand with a clean energy transition to achieve true decarbonisation. Synergy between EVs and renewables: A missed opportunity? In many global markets, EV charging is increasingly linked to renewable energy sources. Norway powers 90 per cent of its EVs using hydroelectricity. California mandates solar-powered charging infrastructure in public spaces. Germany integrates EV charging with its wind energy surplus. India, however, is yet to fully leverage this synergy between EVs and renewables. The following strategies can unlock this potential: Solar-powered EV charging Solar-powered EV charging stations present a scalable, decentralised solution for powering clean mobility. India receives over 300 sunny days annually, making rooftop and off-grid solar charging stations an ideal alternative to coal-based grid power. If just 1 per cent of urban rooftops were converted into solar EV charging hubs, they could power over 10 million two-wheelers annually. The Delhi Metro has successfully implemented solar-based EV charging stations, a model that can be replicated nationwide. Time-of-day (ToD) pricing for EV charging, where users charge vehicles during peak solar generation hours, can help balance grid demand. Despite these benefits, solar-powered charging stations remain underdeveloped in India due to high upfront costs, lack of incentives, and policy gaps. Expanding subsidies for solar EV chargers and net metering incentives could boost adoption. V2G integration Few discussions on EVs in India focus on Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, which allows EVs to return surplus energy to the grid. This can be game-changing for India’s power sector, which faces frequent demand fluctuations and renewable energy intermittency. A fleet of 1 million V2G-enabled EVs could supply 5 GW of flexible power, equivalent to a medium-sized hydropower project. V2G can help stabilise India’s grid by absorbing excess solar and wind energy during periods of high generation. Case study: Japan successfully deployed V2G-enabled EVs during power outages, demonstrating its reliability in crisis situations. For V2G to succeed in India, policy support is essential-such as mandatory V2G compatibility in new EV models and incentives for EV owners who return energy to the grid. Green hydrogen for heavy transport While lithium-ion battery EVs dominate passenger cars and two-wheelers, green hydrogen is emerging as the best alternative for long-haul transport, buses, and heavy trucks. India’s first hydrogen-powered bus was launched in Leh in 2023, demonstrating the potential of fuel-cell EVs (FCEVs) in high-altitude regions. NTPC, Adani, and Reliance are investing in green hydrogen production, aiming to power 50,000 hydrogen-powered trucks by 2030. Cost challenge: Hydrogen fuel remains expensive (~Rs 400/kg), but government subsidies under the National Green Hydrogen Mission aim to reduce costs to Rs 100/kg by 2030. If India scales up domestic electrolyzer manufacturing and renewable-powered hydrogen production, green hydrogen can become a viable fuel for India’s logistics sector. The road ahead India has introduced multiple schemes to boost EV adoption. Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME II), which offers subsidies for EVs and charging infrastructure. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for advanced battery manufacturing. However, no policy mandates renewable energy use for EV charging. India can accelerate its clean mobility transition by implementing key interventions such as mandating Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs) for EV charging networks to ensure a percentage of electricity comes from renewables and providing subsidies for solar-powered charging infrastructure to encourage adoption in businesses and residential complexes. ToD pricing can incentivise EV users to charge during peak solar and wind generation periods. Additionally, mandating V2G compatibility in new EV models will enable bidirectional energy flow, enhancing grid stability. Finally, a national roadmap for hydrogen-powered transport can provide clear policy direction to scale up green hydrogen adoption, particularly for heavy transport Conclusion India’s EV revolution must not be treated in isolation, it should be strategically linked with renewable energy expansion. Without a conscious effort to power EVs with clean energy, India risks merely shifting emissions from tailpipes to smokestacks. The solutions exist: solar charging stations, V2G integration, and green hydrogen, but policy action and investment acceleration are crucial. If India gets this right, it won’t just lead an EV revolution- it will pioneer a globally replicable model for sustainable mobility. By integrating EVs with renewables, India can achieve a cleaner, more resilient, and self-reliant energy future.

India’s renewable energy leaders call for localisation to sustain growth

Localisation of supply chains and talent development are key to making India’s renewable energy sector self-reliant and globally competitive, industry experts stress at BS Manthan The renewable energy sector is witnessing rapid growth, with special focus on localising the supply chain to sustain this momentum, said Amit Singh, CEO, Adani Green Energy Ltd. Singh stressed the significance of localisation in achieving this growth, stating, “If we want to move fast, we need to work on localisation of supply chain and talent. The sector is making an effort to localise — whether it is solar modules, wind turbines, or auxiliary equipment. Additionally, we need a larger pool of skilled professionals to support the sector’s expansion.” Girish Tanti, founder and vice-chairman, Suzlon Group also believes that India is set to become a global supplier in clean tech. “But wind industry OEMs received no incentive in past 20 years.” he points out. “Some support is required to develop a wind ecosystem and make India a global supplier in wind energy tech,” he said speaking at BS Manthan. Further, Singh emphasised the accelerating demand for renewable electricity and the need for large-scale projects. He said, “Renewable energy is rising at an accelerated pace. This is the era of renewable electricity, and eventually, everything will be electrified. The demand is growing rapidly, but we are still far from where we need to be. That is why we have taken on the challenge of a 30-gigawatt plant, which is well on its way. Today, we reached a milestone, crossing 12 gigawatts in total portfolio, and we aim to reach 50 gigawatts by 2030.” Talking about import duties, Singh expressed the importance of long-term planning. “We need to think long-term, not just short-term. Localisation is essential at this stage, and support is needed for growth. Eventually, these support measures will phase out at the right time, but for now, they help businesses flourish.” (L-R) Amit Singh, Deepesh Nanda, And Girish Tanti Addressing the prospects of a 100 per cent domestic solar power plant, Singh highlighted the need for efficiency over cost alone, “We should not look at pricing just from a cost perspective but also from how efficiently we operate the plant. Wind patterns in India vary, so the challenge is to optimise plant design to capture maximum wind energy. A micro-level understanding of weather patterns is crucial to lowering costs holistically,” he said. On skilling, Singh said, “We invite people to come work with us even though they don’t have much experience around it. We give them safety training (around electricals). And parallelly, we are developing a training centre. And people we train will not just work with us, but will be free to work with the government. That is the team of people we need. The quality of workmanship is equally important otherwise we won’t be able to have plants that run in the long run.” Deepesh Nanda, MD & CEO, Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd, acknowledged the Indian government’s ambitious renewable energy targets, stating, “The government has set a target of 500 gigawatts, which initially seemed ambitious. However, today, if you ask industry leaders, they are confident we will achieve it. Our estimates suggest we may even reach 650 gigawatts by 2032.” Nanda highlighted Tata Power’s role in this transition. “Like many large industry players, we have undertaken a massive expansion. We currently have 6,000 megawatts operational, with another 6,000 under construction. This has been enabled by government-backed manufacturing initiatives, particularly the PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) scheme. We benefited from this and commissioned a world-class manufacturing plant at scale.” On balancing cost and sustainability, he said, “Going green is as much about cost as it is about environmental benefits. The cost of electricity is crucial, and with complex tenders integrating solar, battery storage, and pumped hydro, we can replace thermal power on a one-to-one basis at a competitive cost.” Nanda also highlighted the need for investment in research and development. “India generates 18-20 gigawatts of solar energy annually, and we must ensure our manufacturing sector supports this growth. Investment in R&D is critical, and unfortunately, the industry has often fallen short in this area. The PLI scheme has been beneficial, offering incentives worth Rs 2,000 crore — an advantage few other countries provide.” On challenges in setting up manufacturing units, Nanda said, “Today, every other month, you have an investor summit, like recently in Assam and Madhya Pradesh. The Indian states have become extremely careful and interested in attracting investments, and hence those hurdles are not there anymore. Actually, it is now becoming easier and easier for us (companies).” Girish Tanti from the Suzlon Group, talked about the strides made in wind energy localisation. “We have seen significant growth in the wind sector. Currently, local content in solar is about 20 per cent, but we aim to increase it. In wind energy, we have already reached 64 per cent local content.” He reiterated the importance of India’s self-reliance in clean energy, saying, “We are ticking all of the government’s boxes: clean energy, self-reliance, and the ability to supply globally. It would be a missed opportunity if we do not use this moment to build talent, create jobs, and strengthen ‘Make in India’. Localisation is the only way to generate employment.” Addressing concerns about wind energy’s reliance on subsidies, Tanti said, “For the past 20 years, there has been zero incentive for wind energy. The industry has been operating without incentives — the support was for the end-user, not the supplier. Research and development are crucial for any industry’s success.” https://www.business-standard.com/specials/bs-events/renewable-energy-india-localisation-growth-wind-solar-125022800385_1.html

India’s EV Revolution: Role of renewable energy in sustainable mobility

India’s renewable energy leaders call for localisation to sustain growth

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