Electric mobility a strategic imperative for Viksit Bharat 2047: NITI Aayog

NITI Aayog Member Rajiv Gauba described electric mobility as a "strategic imperative" for the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, saying the global transition towards cleaner transport is already underway and has become both an economic and environmental necessity for India.

Speaking at the NITI Aayog Workshop on State EV Policies, where the government think tank released the second edition of the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) report, Gauba said geopolitical tensions could accelerate the shift. He said the recent West Asia crisis could emerge as a major inflection point for electric mobility, much like the oil crises of the 1970s that accelerated the global move towards greater fuel efficiency.

Gauba cited international sales figures to highlight the pace of electric vehicle adoption. In 2025, electric cars accounted for around one-tenth of new car sales in the US, more than a quarter in the European Union and over half in China. These shares are expected to rise further across global markets.


For India, Gauba identified the country's dependence on imported crude oil as a key reason to accelerate the transition. India currently relies on foreign suppliers for nearly 89 per cent of its crude oil requirements, and this dependence could increase with rising vehicle ownership unless electric vehicles see wider adoption domestically.

He also highlighted the importance of the automotive sector to the Indian economy, noting that it contributes around 7.1 per cent of GDP and supports nearly 1.9 crore jobs. He stressed the need to keep India's auto industry aligned with global electric mobility trends while also addressing the significant public health costs associated with vehicular pollution in cities such as Delhi.

On government support, Gauba said more than Rs 92,000 crore in financial assistance has already been deployed through initiatives including FAME, PM E-DRIVE and PM E-bus Sewa. He added that production-linked incentive schemes for Automobiles and Auto Components and Advanced Chemistry Cell battery storage are supporting domestic manufacturing.

Gauba also pointed to the expansion of charging infrastructure by oil marketing companies and private players. He said the newly launched Unified Bharat e-Charge app would improve public access and convenience.

At the state level, 29 of 36 States and Union Territories have now notified dedicated EV policies. According to the IEMI data, the highest state score increased from 77 to 84 over the past year, while the median score rose from 36 to 40.

Gauba said differences in state-level strategies, driven by varying industrial bases, fiscal capacity and geographical conditions, can be an advantage if states learn from each other. He called on states to focus on electrifying urban public transport, developing reliable and geographically balanced charging networks, and directing capital towards local research and innovation.