Sandhu highlighted that electric mobility encompasses energy production and consumption, urban planning, technological development, industrial growth, and the quality of life for citizens. He noted that India's expanding mobility needs, coupled with the necessity to address energy security, air quality, urban congestion, and climate change, make cleaner mobility both an environmental imperative and an economic opportunity.
He pointed to government initiatives like the FAME program and the ₹10,900 crore PM E-DRIVE scheme, which support electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. However, Sandhu stressed that policy support is only one aspect, and developing capabilities in battery technology, energy storage, and recycling is crucial for sustaining electric mobility at scale.
A robust domestic EV ecosystem, he explained, can foster opportunities in engineering, electronics, software, battery manufacturing, and specialized services, aligning with India's industrial ambitions and participation in global value chains, as evidenced by 'Made-in-India' electric vehicles entering international markets.
For Delhi, the transition is particularly significant due to its challenges with mobility, air quality, and congestion. Sandhu sees cleaner public transport and personal vehicles as key to reducing emissions and improving citizens' daily experiences, building on the existing adoption of electric buses and aiming for an integrated system of public transport, charging infrastructure, and traffic management.
Sandhu concluded that the next phase of India's electric mobility journey requires collaboration between government, industry, academia, and financial institutions, focusing on scalable innovation, long-term capability building, integrated infrastructure, and a citizen-centric approach to mobility.