Economy

Future of Mobility: India’s Journey towards Net Zero

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) recently organized a highly anticipated conference on “Future of Mobility: India’s Journey towards Net Zero” in New Delhi. The event was attended by the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, who took the opportunity to share his thoughts on the importance of sustainable mobility for India’s future.

Current State of Affairs in India’s Energy Requirements

 The conference emphasized the significance of transportation in a nation’s growth. It highlighted its significance as a cornerstone for infrastructure development. In India, 85% of energy needs are met through imported fossil fuels, consuming 30% of the world’s supply and costing 1.6 trillion rupees. Decisions made now will shape the sector for the next 30 years.

Importance of Sustainable Mobility

 The Minister said that with air pollution reaching alarming levels in cities like Delhi, there’s an urgent need to decarbonize the transportation sector. The future of mobility must be sustainable, both economically and ecologically, and the government is taking the necessary steps to make this a reality. Cost-effective, indigenous, and pollution-free fuels for transportation are being actively pursued, and the use of fuels such as ethanol, methanol, bio-CNG, bio-LNG, electric vehicles, bio-electric vehicles, hybrid EVs with flex fuel, and hydrogen fuel are being facilitated.

 Focus on Alternative Fuels

 The Minister also shared his recent experience of visiting the Auto Expo in Delhi, where he was amazed at the progress made by the auto industry in alternative fuels, especially in the area of hydrogen engines. He also visited IISC in Bangalore, where scientists demonstrated the production of green hydrogen using biomass, which has the potential to revolutionize the rural economy in India. This model empowers farmers to produce green hydrogen and supply it to heavy-duty buses and trucks, thus increasing their income.

 Launch of India’s First Flex Engine Car

 Flex engines, which can run on either 100% bio ethanol or 100% petrol, hold great potential to increase agricultural income. The Minister recently launched India’s first flex engine car by Toyota and has set a target for the auto industry to develop the world’s first BS6-compliant flex engine and launch it in India.

 Empowering Farmers

 “India is primarily an agriculture-based nation, and if farmers are empowered to serve as “Urja Daata” (energy providers) along with “Anna Daata” (food providers), their income will increase, and India’s imports and pollution will decrease, creating a win-win situation for all,” he further added.

 The conference organized by FICCI was a much-needed platform to bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss solutions for sustainable and connected urban transport systems. The conference served as a reminder of the crucial role that the transportation sector plays in shaping the future of our country.

 

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