Hindi English Translation || Editorial || ​Going electric: On India and the electric vehicle space

​Going electric: On India and the electric vehicle space

India must be a reliable (विश्वसनीय, भरोसेमंद) trade partner to compete in the EV space

India’s decision to exempt import duties on 35 capital goods used in the manufacture of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and 28 items used in the making of mobile phone batteries is a welcome step toward boosting domestic manufacturing and clean technology adoption (अपनाना, स्वीकार करना). Proposed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2025-26 and formalised through the Finance Bill 2025 passed in Parliament on Tuesday, this signals a strategic (रणनीतिक, सामरिक) policy shift. Earlier in March, Chinese EV giant BYD unveiled its “Super E-platform”, capable of giving a vehicle a 500-kilometre range with just five minutes of charging — a major leap toward alleviating (कम करना, राहत देना) range anxiety (चिंता, व्याकुलता), which is a key barrier to EV adoption. This innovation directly challenges the convenience (सुविधा, सरलता) of conventional vehicles and could accelerate the global EV transition if scaled and deployed with the same ubiquity (सर्वव्यापकता) as traditional fuel stations. Batteries remain the most expensive component in an EV, comprising roughly 40% of the vehicle’s cost. This cost burden has slowed EV adoption in lower-income countries, despite the long-term advantage of reducing oil import dependence, which is especially relevant (प्रासंगिक) for India. Another critical barrier is the lack of indigenous (स्वदेशी, मूल निवासी) technological capability in battery manufacturing. China currently dominates this sector, producing over 70% of all EV batteries globally, according to the International Energy Agency. The lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery has emerged as the industry standard over the past five years due to its lower cost, higher energy density, and better thermal management.

While EVs made up 45% of all car registrations in China in 2024, they accounted for just 2% of India’s passenger car market. However, electric two-wheelers (e2w) have seen notable (उल्लेखनीय, महत्वपूर्ण) momentum in India, with 1.14 million units sold in 2024, making up about 60% of total EV sales. Though India’s duty exemptions are partially aimed at strengthening bilateral trade ties with the United States and avoiding reciprocal tariffs, the broader strategic objective should be to decarbonise its transport sector. To achieve this, India must integrate into both the upstream (mining and refining) and downstream (manufacturing and assembly) segments of the global EV battery value chain. This would not only help lower battery costs through technology transfer but also position India as a reliable alternative to China in the eyes of developed nations seeking supply chain diversification (विविधीकरण). India’s long-term success in the EV space will depend on its ability to leverage (लाभ उठाना) favourable trade policies, invest in research and development, and secure a strong foothold in the global battery ecosystem.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Important Word List With Meaning

1.Reliable (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - विश्वसनीय, भरोसेमंद
English Meaning - Consistently good in quality or performance; dependable.

2.Adoption (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - अपनाना, स्वीकार करना
English Meaning - The act of accepting or starting to use something new.

3.Strategic (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - रणनीतिक, सामरिक
English Meaning - Related to achieving a long-term aim or overall plan

4.Alleviate (Verb)

Hindi Meaning - कम करना, राहत देना
English Meaning - To make suffering or a problem less severe

5.Anxiety (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - चिंता, व्याकुलता
English Meaning - A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease.

6.Convenience (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - सुविधा, सरलता
English Meaning - The state of being able to do something easily or without trouble.

7.Ubiquity (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - सर्वव्यापकता
English Meaning - The fact of appearing everywhere or being very common.

8.Relevant (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - प्रासंगिक
English Meaning - Closely connected to the matter at hand.

9.Indigenous (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - स्वदेशी, मूल निवासी
English Meaning - Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place.

10.Notable (Adjective)

Hindi Meaning - उल्लेखनीय, महत्वपूर्ण
English Meaning - Worthy of attention or notice.

11.Leverage (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - लाभ उठाना
English Meaning - The use of something to maximum advantage.

12.Diversification (Noun)

Hindi Meaning - विविधीकरण
English Meaning - The process of varying products, investments, etc., to reduce risk or expand.