India To Become Top EV Manufacturer In The World; Will Start Making Lithium-Ion Batteries By Year End: Nitin Gadkari

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highway Nitin Gadkari has claimed that India is set to become the world’s biggest manufacturing hub of electric vehicles (EVs).

Apparently, lithium-ion batteries are one of the most integral components in EVs and the minister revealed that India will start producing the same domestically from the end of this year.

In fact, Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwatha Narayana also mentioned that the southern state will house two manufacturing facilities of the concerned batteries in the near future.

As of now, EVs are a costlier alternative as compared to internal combust engine (ICE) vehicles that operate on fuels like petrol and diesel. However, Gadkari affirmed that the EV prices will reduce drastically in the coming two years and that its cost will be on par with that of petrol or diesel cars soon.

“India is moving ahead towards making electric vehicles. In due course of time, we will be the number one electric vehicle (EV) maker in the world. All reputed brands are present in India,” the senior minister was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.

He added, “India has got tremendous capability for making green power... Within six months, I am confident that we will be in position to make 100 per cent lithium-ion battery in India, there is no shortage of lithium.”

Gadkari maintained that India’s crude oil imports currently stand at Rs 8 lakh crore and it will double over the course of the next five years.

Hence, it furthers the country’s requirement to explore other alternative and efficient modes of energy as e-mobility is also crucial to ensure that transport becomes free of pollution in the country.