Evera came up with requirements they deemed the basic right of commuters. Being associated with Prakriti E-mobility, they decided to give India an all-electric cab service that would bring about a global revolution in EV’s.
This unique app-based taxi service would not only get customers from Point A to Point B but would also contribute to the greater good of the planet. It would allow users to book cabs that are all-electric. As a result, their journey would give off no emissions and would help reduce the carbon footprint one journey at a time.
In a recent interview, Abdullah interacted with Nimish Trivedi, CEO, Co-Founder, Evera in which he discussed about performance, range, and cost of EVs compare to those of their conventional gasoline-powered Vehicle, adoption of electric passenger vehicle, infrastructure for charging, battery technology, customer acceptance, and transportation towards sustainability.
What are the most recent technological developments in electric passenger vehicles?
The most recent technological developments in electric passenger vehicles have had a profound impact on their performance and usability. Advancements in battery technology have significantly increased energy density, enabling electric cars to achieve longer driving ranges on a single charge.
Over the past decade, the cost of lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in electric cars, has dropped by almost 90%. This reduction in battery cost has made electric vehicles competitive with traditional internal combustion engine vehicles and has made them a viable option for more consumers.
Additionally, the latest electric vehicles can now travel over 300 kms on a single charge, a substantial improvement over earlier models. This increase in range has led to a significant boost in consumer confidence and adoption rates.
How do the performance, range, and cost of electric passenger cars compare to those of their conventional gasoline-powered counterparts?
Electric vehicles (EVs) offer impressive performance metrics, with instant torque delivery providing swift acceleration. For instance, the Tata Nexon EV Model can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in under nine seconds.
Modern EVs have the capacity to run north of over 300 kms on a single charge. While upfront costs of electric cars may still be higher than gasoline cars, lower operating and maintenance costs over time contribute to their cost competitiveness. Electric vehicles have fewer moving parts than internal combustion engine vehicles, resulting in reduced maintenance requirements and lower long-term ownership costs.
What are the main forces behind the market’s adoption of electric passenger cars?
Transportation sector is responsible for approximately 24% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. Electric passenger cars offer a solution to this issue by producing zero tailpipe emissions. Government regulations play a crucial role in shaping consumer behaviour and market dynamics. Indian government’s FAME scheme is a step in this direction as the nation wants to achieve significant electric vehicle penetration, with a target of 30% electric vehicle sales by 2030. Factors such as ease of driving, rising fuel prices, concerns about air pollution, and willingness to contribute to environment, and increased access to charging infrastructure have contributed to this shift in consumer preferences. As more consumers recognize the advantages of electric vehicles, the demand for these environmentally friendly alternatives continues to rise.
What obstacles do producers of electric passenger cars have to overcome in the areas of infrastructure for charging, battery technology, and customer acceptance?
Producers of electric passenger cars face obstacles in infrastructure for charging, battery technology, and customer acceptance. India had approximately 1,800 public electric vehicle charging stations as of 2023. However, this number falls short of the estimated requirement of 2.7 million charging points by 2030.
India has made strides in battery technology development, with initiatives such as the National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage aiming to bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities. However, the average cost of lithium-ion batteries in India remains relatively high compared to global benchmarks. According to industry experts, the cost of battery packs for electric vehicles in India is around $200-$250 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), significantly higher than the target of $100 per kWh set by the government to achieve cost parity with internal combustion engine vehicles.
Range anxiety and the upfront cost of electric cars remains a deterrent for many potential buyers, with electric vehicles typically priced higher than their gasoline counterparts.
What effects do incentives and policies from the government have on the market expansion for electric passenger cars?
India’s EV affordability push goes multi-pronged. A giant leap in domestic battery production (145 GWh) targets the core issue: battery cost (a major factor in EV affordability). This, coupled with reduced GST on EVs and charging stations, brings the sticker price down for consumers. The PLI scheme for ACC Battery Storage with a budget of ₹18,100 crore aims to achieve a manufacturing capacity of 50 GWh (Giga Watt Hour) of advanced chemistry cell batteries in India. Private players are expected to add another 95 GWh, bringing the total capacity to 145 GWh.
FAME India subsidies further incentivized purchases, with electric two-wheeler sales skyrocketing from 0.09% (2018) to 5.28% (first half 2023). These combined efforts aim to make EVs price-competitive with gasoline vehicles, ultimately accelerating India’s EV adoption.
To truly accelerate adoption, India can explore a range of demand-side incentives. Scrapping bonuses can offer additional discounts to consumers who trade in their old gasoline vehicles for EVs. Lower registration fees can make EVs a more attractive initial investment. Toll booth exemptions or discounts can encourage EV use. Finally, mandating, or incentivizing companies to install charging stations at workplaces can promote hassle-free EV ownership, creating a user-friendly ecosystem for EVs to thrive.
What new features and designs are being added to electric passenger cars to draw in more customers?
Electric passenger cars are enticing customers with cutting-edge features and designs. Solid-state batteries offer higher energy density, faster charging, and lower fire risk. Lightweight materials like carbon Fiber enhance efficiency by reducing weight and drag. Advanced functionalities include voice/gesture control, biometric authentication, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and self-parking. Some EVs can communicate with each other and infrastructure, forming a network of interconnected autonomous vehicles. These innovations are up and coming in the EV space.
In what ways do electric passenger cars help cities’ air quality and pollution reductions?
By replacing gasoline-powered vehicles with electric ones, cities can decrease harmful pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, leading to cleaner air and better public health outcomes.
What part do electric cars play in the larger movement of transportation towards sustainability?
As renewable energy sources become more prevalent in the electricity grid, the environmental benefits of electric vehicles further increase. An integrated ecosystem is not limited to just passenger cars but can also be extended to other form factors like trucks and commercial vehicles. By electrifying trucks and commercial vehicles, can lower operating costs, and give improved air quality in urban areas. The integration of electric trucks with the existing smart grid infrastructure can create a more efficient and reliable electricity system. These vehicles can serve as mobile energy storage units, allowing surplus energy from renewable sources to be stored and utilized during periods of high demand or grid instability. This vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology enables bidirectional electricity flow, where electric trucks can both consume and supply electricity to the grid when needed.
What are the long-term possibilities for technology breakthroughs and market share for electric passenger vehicles?
The long-term possibilities for technology breakthroughs and market share for electric passenger vehicles include continued advancements in battery technology, leading to even longer ranges, faster charging times, and reduced costs. Increased adoption of electric vehicles could lead to economies of scale, further driving down costs and making them more accessible to a broader range of consumers. Moreover, innovations in autonomous driving and vehicle-to-grid technologies could revolutionize the way electric cars are used and integrated into transportation systems.
What role do electric passenger cars play in the connected and intelligent urban mobility systems of the future?
EVs are the key to empower smart city infrastructure, such as traffic management systems and autonomous vehicle networks, can optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and enhance overall transportation efficiency.
Electric cars emit 50-70% fewer greenhouse gases than gasoline cars, enhancing air quality. Their quieter operation, up to 50% less noisy than traditional vehicles, contributes to a peaceful urban environment. Integration with smart city infrastructure optimizes transportation resources, improving traffic flow and energy efficiency. Moreover, electric cars can contribute to broader efforts towards sustainable urban development by reducing noise pollution and creating more liveable cities.