Embracing clean mobility has become a pressing priority today. Electric Vehicles (EVs) improve the 'Ease of Living,' which includes the 'Ease of Travel.' Recognising this, during the Global Mobility Summit (MOVE) held in September 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined a vision for the future of mobility in India based on the 7 C's: Common, Connected, Convenient, Congestion-free, Charged, Clean, and Cutting-edge mobility.

India's EV sector is experiencing rapid growth in terms of volume, energy consumption, and reduction in carbon emissions. The total number of EVs sold in India during 2014 stood at 2,600, while it jumped to 19.65 lakh in 2025.

The Modi government, at all levels, has backed the development of the country's EV industry. 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is possible in the automobile sector, which has attracted $36 billion in FDI over the past four years. Incentive schemes have been introduced to encourage technological innovation and supply chain capacity building in the automobile manufacturing sector. The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME ) was launched in 2015 to promote the adoption and manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicle technology, ensuring the sustainable growth of this sector. In the first phase of the scheme, approximately 2.78 lakh EVs were supported with total demand incentives of Rs. 343 crore, resulting in a saving of about 50 million litres of fuel and a reduction of about 124 million kg of CO2.

Based on the outcome and experience of the first phase, the second phase of FAME was launched in 2019 and implemented over five years from 2019 to 2024. Incentives and concessions were provided to consumers (buyers/end-users) through an upfront reduction in the purchase price of hybrid and electric vehicles, which facilitated wider adoption. This initiative made EVs more affordable and accessible to a larger segment of the population, helping to accelerate their adoption. The scheme subsidised the purchase of 16 lakh EVs, including more than 5,000 electric buses, and built charging infrastructure. As a result of the initiative, the number of electric vehicles registered in India in FY 2023-24 increased by 9.7 times compared to FY 2019-20.

The running costs of an electric vehicle are significantly lower than those of an equivalent petrol or diesel vehicle. Moreover, the electricity cost can be reduced further if charging is done with the help of renewable energy sources installed at home, such as solar panels. It is particularly significant for rural India, which accounts for 55% of the two-wheeler sales in India, with a 13% year-on-year increase.

PM Modi's governance model is rooted in the principle of 'Jan Bhagidari' (public participation) and emphasises the importance of involving citizens in the development process. And now, every Indian household can contribute to this journey by adopting rooftop solar panels under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY), the world's largest domestic rooftop solar initiative. This scheme is transforming India's energy landscape with a bold vision to supply solar power to one crore households by March 2027.
Historically, rural mobility has received less attention than its urban counterpart in India. This disparity exacerbated the inequalities between India's urban and rural areas, creating a cycle of underdevelopment and limited opportunities in rural areas, which led to migration. Affordable, accessible, and therefore inclusive (and safe) mobility solutions are primary strategic levers for rapid economic development.

While energy is at the heart of climate change, it also holds the key to its solution. While the PMSGMBY scheme is primarily focused on providing free electricity to households, its positive impact on reducing energy costs is encouraging the adoption of EVs, especially Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), by lowering running costs and contributing to a transition towards clean mobility. The scheme has seen remarkable progress across several states and has 1.7 crore registrations. States such as Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, which have a high proportion of BEVs in their total vehicle population, have seen a relatively higher proportion of registrations under the scheme. Along with this, the scheme is expected to save the government an estimated Rs 75,000 crore annually in electricity costs, which can be reinvested in the rural economy to facilitate the faster adoption of EVs.

Therefore, clean mobility is driving our economy forward and positively impacting the lives of citizens, both in urban and rural areas. While EVs contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment in urban areas by enabling access to affordable means of transportation, they also connect rural communities to markets, healthcare, and educational opportunities, thereby promoting economic growth and social well-being. With nearly two-thirds of the Indian population based in rural areas, affordability (and hence EVs) is critical for inclusivity. EVs are bringing a 'silent revolution' in the country, and through policy initiatives, the Modi government has ensured that they are no longer 'extra vehicles,' mainly for the rich.