Encouraging EVs, But Won’t Not Stop Registration Of Combustion Engine Vehicles: Gadkari

Road transport & highways minister Nitin Gadkari said the government is also trying to encourage use of 50 per cent ethanol in aviation fuel

New Delhi: Even as the government has pushed for the adoption of electric vehicles ((EVs) and the use of alternative fuels like ethanol, bio-LNG, green hydrogen, but it will not stop the registration of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, road transport & highways minister Nitin Gadkari said on Monday.

Addressing an event virtually organised by industry body Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Gadkari went on to add that the government is also trying to encourage the use of 50 per cent ethanol in aviation fuel.

"We are encouraging (adoption of) electric vehicles, and (use) of alternative fuels like ethanol, bio-LNG, green hydrogen...(But) we are not going to stop anything (ICE vehicles)," the minister said, according to news agency PTI.

While emphasising that the sale of EVs has increased as people are giving a good response, Gadkari added, "I feel that we don't need to make anything (ICE vehicles) mandatory."

The minister also informed that 250 startups are working on e-vehicles which will help in bringing down the cost of EVs. Noting that green hydrogen is the future, he said, "I am going to buy a car next month, which will run on hydrogen."

Observed that India is becoming the largest EV market for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and cars, Gadkari said, "In the next 5 years, it is planned to develop wayside amenities at 600 locations, all of which will have the necessary EV charging infrastructure."

Gadkari also said that reducing logistics costs to below 10 per cent of GDP is at the top of the agenda, so the government is developing integrated inland waterways, air connectivity, and road network at large.

"We all must be aligned with the commitment made by our Hon'ble Prime Minister, recently at the COP-26 summit to achieve the target of net-zero emissions or a carbon-neutral country by the year 2070," he said.

The minister also noted that infrastructure development will play an important role in fulfilling the vision of India in becoming a 5 trillion dollar economy in the next five years.

He pointed out that the government has given a massive push to the economy by allocating about Rs 111 lakh crore through the National Infrastructure Pipeline, to be invested until 2025 where Rs 20 lakh crore is allocated for the road infrastructure sector, according to PTI.