The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is no longer a distant dream or just a government target – it’s happening right now and changing how the world moves. What once felt futuristic has become reality as governments, companies, and people come together to make electrification the main way forward for cleaner and more sustainable transport. In the early 2020s, global EV sales rose at record speed, and by 2024–25, the trend was clear – electric mobility is no longer a niche market, but part of the mainstream. China leads the charge, followed by Europe and North America, where EVs make up a large share of new car sales.
As battery prices keep falling and more models become available across different price ranges, experts believe that 2025 and beyond will mark the decade when EVs truly take over the automobile market. In India, the shift has been slower, but the progress is steady and promising. From a small start in the late 2010s, the country’s EV market has grown rapidly in recent years. The biggest push has come from electric two -wheelers, three-wheelers, and commercial fleets. Millions of electric vehicles are already on Indian roads, and India aims for a major share of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030.
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Government schemes like FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles), production-linked incentives (PLI), and state-level EV policies have played a key role in this transformation. Along with the steady drop in battery prices, these policies are helping to make EVs not just desirable but affordable for the average person. One of the main reasons electric vehicles are becoming so popular is their environmental benefit. EVs are a big step toward reducing air pollution, especially in crowded cities. Since they produce zero tailpipe emissions, they help cut down harmful gases like nitrogen oxides (NO ) and fine particles (PM2.5), improving air quality and public health.
However, the story is not so simple when it comes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Over their lifetime, EVs generally produce fewer emissions than traditional petrol or diesel vehicles, but this depends on three main things: how clean the electricity used for charging is, how the batteries are made, and how long the vehicles last. In countries where electricity still comes mostly from coal, the benefits are smaller. But as more renewable sources like solar and wind are added to the grid, EVs become much cleaner and better for the environment. Another challenge comes from the battery production process. Making lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries involves mining and processing materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which can cause pollution and raise ethical issues. Without cleaner manufacturing methods and proper recycling, this could weaken the environmental benefits that EVs promise.
One of the biggest hurdles for EVs today is the issue of battery supply chains and disposal. Batteries contain valuable materials but are hard to recycle efficiently. India and many other countries still lack large-scale recycling systems. Different battery types, safety issues during dismantling, and low economic returns make recycling tough. Without proper systems to recover and reuse materials, used batteries could end up becoming a serious waste problem instead of a resource. Another key issue is charging infrastructure – in simple terms, where people can charge their vehicles. While charging stations are growing quickly, they are still concentrated in big cities and major highways.
Most rural and semi-urban areas have very few options. Users also face issues like inconsistent payment systems, incompatible plugs, and slow or faulty chargers. This makes EV ownership less convenient and creates hesitation among buyers. India’s EV-to-charger ratio still needs major improvement to support large-scale adoption. The electric grid is another part of the puzzle. If too many people charge their cars at the same time, especially during peak hours, it can overload local power systems. However, if managed smartly – like charging during off-peak hours or when solar power generation is high – EVs can actually help balance the grid. In the future, with technologies like V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) systems, cars could even send power back to the grid when needed. But for this, India’s electricity planning needs to consider EV growth as a central part of future infrastructure development. Then there is the human and policy side. Even though EV prices are coming down, many buyers still hesitate because of the higher upfront cost and uncertainty about resale value or battery replacement. The economics work better for delivery fleets, taxis, and two-wheelers, but for private buyers, the decision often depends on trust and confidence. Consistent policies, transparent incentives, and standard regulations across the country can make a big difference here. So, what can be done? The first step is to build a circular economy for EV batteries. That means designing batteries that are easier to take apart and recycle.
Manufacturers should be responsible for taking back used batteries and ensuring they are properly handled – this is called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Creating digital “battery passports” that record important details about each battery (like chemistry, capacity, and history) could make recycling easier. Also, batteries that no longer work well for vehicles could still be reused for stationary energy storage or as backup systems for solar power – this would reduce waste and get more value out of each battery. India can really take the lead here by investing in domestic recycling industries. This would help recover valuable materials, reduce import dependence, and prevent toxic waste buildup. Encouraging start-ups and research in recycling technology can make this both environmentally and economically beneficial.
Next comes charging infrastructure. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can help build more charging stations in key places like residential complexes, workplaces, highways, and public parking areas. Governments can make this faster by simplifying permissions, supporting private investment, and offering small financial incentives. But along with expanding the number of chargers, standardization is equally important – users should be able to charge anywhere, regardless of the company that operates the station. Also, having both fast DC (Direct Current) chargers for highways and slower AC (Alternating Current) chargers for homes and offices will create a balanced system. Offering cheaper tariffs during night hours can encourage smart charging habits and reduce stress on the grid. On the grid side, power companies need to prepare for higher EV adoption.
This means upgrading transformers, improving local distribution networks, and aligning EV charging schedules with renewable energy production. Testing out vehicle-to-grid projects can show how EVs might become part of the energy system instead of just consumers of power. Policy and regulations will be key to keeping this growth steady. Governments must set clear targets and give consistent incentives so that businesses and consumers feel confident to invest. They should also ensure that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles gradually meet stricter emission standards. Financial models like leasing or “battery-as-a-service” can make EVs more affordable by reducing the upfront cost for users. P ublic awareness is just as important as technology and policy. People need to know how to maintain EVs properly, handle batteries safely, and recycle them responsibly. Training programmes for mechanics, first responders, and informal-sector workers will help prevent accidents and improve safety. At the same time, continued research into better battery technologies – like solid-state or low-cobalt batteries – will make EVs safer, cheaper, and more sustainable in the long run. The potential of electric vehicles is massive.
They can make cities cleaner, reduce dependence on oil, and become a key part of global climate action. But these benefits will not happen automatically. They depend on clean power, good infrastructure, responsible recycling, and strong policies that combine ambition with action. India has already shown impressive progress, especially in the two- and three-wheeler segments. The next step is to expand this success to all types of vehicles while ensuring that the environmental footprint keeps shrinking. The next few years will be critical. With the right mix of government support, private investment, and public trust, electric vehicles can move from being a symbol of progress to becoming a normal part of life, a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable way to move forward.
(The writer is a 3rd year B.Tech student of Electrical and Computer Science Engineering at the Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai.)
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