(ET)
Electric vehicles in India may soon have the opportunity to go carbon-free in operations as the government endeavours supply of renewable energy to charging stations in a coal-driven economy, a first of its kind initiative in the world.
Though EVs have no tailpipe emissions, they draw criticism from various sections on the use of fossil fuel for generating the electricity used to charge them. Coal contributes to 76 per cent of electricity generation in India, and renewables including hydro 19 per cent.
A policy directive enabling any consumer above 100 kW hour load, including residential societies, commercial complexes or charging stations, to source green electricity from any source other than the local distribution supplier has been announced by the government. Sources in the government said the rules are at the stage of final legal vetting. The Draft Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) Rules, 2021 were issued in August last year.
