EVs Must Hit 50% of Sales by 2030 to Meet 2070 Net Zero goal: Union Minister

The electric vehicles need to account for 50 percent of all vehicle sales by 2030 to keep the automotive industry aligned with the 2070 net zero emissions goal, as per Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. Speaking at the 3rd International Conference on Sustainable Circularity hosted by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Yadav noted that India now sells more vehicles each year than the population of certain countries, but this success carries the obligation to ensure clean air and a healthy environment.

"Rising vehicle sales is good news for the economy... And if we work together, we can ensure this is not bad news for the environment either," he said.
 
The minister said EV sales are projected to reach nearly 35 per cent of the total vehicle sales in 2030. "To bring the auto sector on track with the 2070 net zero goal, this share needs to reach 50 per cent." The minister said EV sales in India are projected to reach 10 million units by the end of the decade, creating five million jobs.

He stated that the EV fleet might reduce CO2 emissions by five metric tonnes by 2030, and this decrease could increase to 110–380 metric tonnes by 2050. Yadav pointed out that while electric vehicles are eco-friendly due to their lack of emissions, it's crucial to recognize that their batteries rely on electricity for charging.