ABP Ideas Of India: Cost of EVs To Be At Par With Petrol, Diesel Vehicles In 2 Years, Says Nitin Gadkari

ABP Ideas Of India: Speaking at ABP Network's 'Wild Stone presents Ideas of India Summit', Nitin Gadkari said India needs to become independent when it comes to fuel.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at the ABP Summit

ABP Ideas Of India: Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday said the cost of electric automobiles would be at par with petrol-run vehicles in the next two years.

Speaking at ABP Network's "Wildstone presents Ideas of India Summit", Gadkari said India needs to become independent when it comes to fuel.

"Within two years, maybe one year as well, the cost of electric scooter, car will be same as petrol-driven scooter, car, autorickshaw. Prices of lithium-ion battery are coming down. The cost on electric vehicle will be one-tenth of what you spend now on petrol," Gadkari said at the summit.

He also dismissed reports that India was facing a shortage of lithium. "85 per cent of lithium batteries are made in India. There is no shortage of lithium in the country," the Union minister said.

On increasing fuel prices of fuels, the Union Minister said, "In India, 80 per cent of energy is imported. Amidst the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the prices of fuels have spiralled up in international markets and we cannot do anything about that. But, what I am talking about since 2004 is that India needs to become self-reliant. We need to make our own fuel."

Gadkari stressed on ethanol and green hydrogen as a pollution-free and cost-effective alternative to petrol and diesel. He said green hydrogen could be made from bio-mass, bio-organic waste, and dirty water, and could be a substitute for coal import.

"Ethanol is a clean fuel and has low greenhouse gas emissions. The additional income can be directly diverted to the farmer," he said.

Nitin Gadkari on 2024 Election, Uttar Pradesh Win

Nitin Gadkari was speaking on the topic "New India, New Manifesto: Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas Aur Sabka Vishwas".

When asked about BJP's strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha election after an impressive win in four states, Gadkari said the primary focus of the party was nationalism.

"In BJP's philosophy, the primary focus is nationalism. The second focus is good governance and development. The third most important pillar is antyodaya, under which we try to uplift those who belong to socially and economically backward classes. The day when these people will have food, clothes and their own houses, we will feel that our work is done," Gadkari said.

On BJP coming back to power for a second term in Uttar Pradesh, Nitin Gadkari credited the work of the BJP government at the Centre and Yogi Adityanath's leadership for the win.

"Yogi ji showed courage as he took strict action against the goons and criminals who were involved in illegal work and established law and order in Uttar Pradesh. The problem earlier was that there was no respect or fear towards the law. Because of Yogiji's initiative, the people of UP and women felt that their lives are secure," Gadkari said.