The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is urging the Indian government to ensure at least 65% of all new vehicles sold are electric by 2030.
The council is pushing for this action alongside 25 other companies which include Mahindra, Volvo Group India, Hero Electric Vehicles and Sun Mobility.
The WBCSD says a successful energy transition in mobility can cut India's road transport emissions by 15% by 2030 and put the sector on a path to net-zero emissions by 2050.
Targets for electric vehicle (EV) sales by 2030 across each segment include 70% of two-wheeler sales, 85% of three-wheeler sales, 30% of car sales, 35% of bus sales and 15% of goods vehicle sales.
The WBCSD describes these goals as a business opportunity and a necessity for India to get on track with reaching the goals of the Paris Agreement.
To achieve the targets, the council is encouraging the government to adopt market rules that attract private investment, expand capital incentives across vehicle segments and use-cases and to support the implementation of at least 1 million public charging points by 2030.
Joe Phelan, Director, WBCSD India, says: "The electrification of India's road transport is underway, with more than 800,000 electric vehicles sold, 75% of which were bought in the past four years. Electric vehicles can make mobility affordable for Indian citizens, cut pollution in cities and reduce national emissions. India needs business leadership on all solutions for climate action. After rapid growth in India's renewable energy sector, transport decarbonisation is India's next big opportunity to address climate change."
The official launch of this ambition statement will take place on 1 November at the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) at the SEC Centre in the Scottish city of Glasgow.
This event will bring together companies in India to showcase their commitment and ambition, driving climate action focusing on energy, industry and transport systems. It will offer an insight into India's transition to sustainable mobility and how to accelerate large-scale adoption of EVs. Attendees can register here to attend the session virtually or in-person.
