India committed to shift logistics to 100% green, clean energy sources

October 1, 2021: Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari said the government is committed to shifting public transport and logistics to 100 percent green and clean sources of energy.

Addressing the symposium on International Automotive Technology he said the national hydrogen mission launched by the prime minister seeks to develop hydrogen technologies for the benefit of the mobility sector and make India the leader in the production and usage of green hydrogen.

The Minister said 70 percent of green hydrogen production costs come from electricity costs. Hence, surplus electricity from renewable energy sources can completely change the economics of production of green hydrogen production. He said green hydrogen is termed as the fuel of the future and it is the only fuel that can help us achieve the mission of zero carbon emissions.

The Minister said recently launched production linked incentive scheme aims to boost advanced automotive technology products in the Indian auto sector which help to lower fossil fuel emissions.  Gadkari said the government expects the scheme would lead to a fresh investment of more than ₹42,500 crore and the creation of additional 7.5 lakh jobs in the sector.  

Gadkari said we are also planning to introduce flex-fuel vehicles which allow operation of the vehicles on 100 percent ethanol and petrol. He said Flex engine-based vehicles are already running in the USA, Brazil, and Canada. He said technology is readily available, and it is just a matter of time to take that leap that will transform the transport landscape of India forever.

The Minister said safety scenario on Indian roads needs improvement as every year approx. 1.5 lakh people die on Indian roads in almost 5 lakh accidents. He said the concept of zero vision, that is achieving zero accidents and zero loss of life is being adapted in India similar to European countries.