Clean Commutes, Cleaner Grid: Why India's EV Push Must Go Hand-in-Hand with Renewable Energy

As we mark Earth Day 2025 under the banner of “Our Power, Our Planet,” the message is loud and clear: transitioning to renewable energy is no longer optional — it’s a shared responsibility. For India’s electric mobility sector, the call to triple global clean electricity generation by 2030 presents not just a challenge, but a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine how we power transportation.

Electric, But Not Yet Clean

Electric vehicles have emerged as a vital solution to decarbonise mobility, particularly in densely populated nations like India. However, there is a growing and critical caveat — clean mobility is only as clean as the power that drives it. Today, while EV adoption is steadily rising, the majority of the electricity that powers these vehicles still comes from fossil fuels.

If the bulk of EV charging continues to depend on thermal power, we risk merely shifting emissions from tailpipes to power plants — a displacement, not a reduction. Without integrating renewable sources into the energy mix that supports electric mobility, we are running the risk of greenwashing what should be a genuinely sustainable transition.

A Nation in Motion

The good news is that India is showing momentum. The nation has committed to achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, and EV adoption is growing across two-wheeler, three-wheeler, and fleet segments. Government schemes like FAME, PLI, and State EV policies have played a catalytic role in enabling this growth.

However, the scale of transition required demands deeper alignment between the EV industry and the renewable energy ecosystem. Charging infrastructure is still heavily dependent on grid electricity, which is largely non-renewable. Solar-integrated charging stations are sparse, and energy storage systems that could enable round-the-clock clean charging are not yet mainstream.

An Integrated Approach

To truly decarbonise mobility, we need to tighten the loop between EV infrastructure and renewable energy sources. This requires three critical shifts:

1. Policy Convergence: EV and renewable energy policies must speak to each other. There is a pressing need for inter-ministerial coordination between MNRE, MoP, and MoRTH to align targets, incentives, and compliance frameworks. Charging stations should be incentivised to source clean power, with mandates for solar rooftops or green grid connections where feasible.
2. Grid Modernisation: As EV usage grows, so will the stress on local grids. Investing in smart grid technology, time-of-day tariffs, and localised energy storage can help balance loads and enable EVs to become grid assets, not liabilities. Utilities must also plan for decentralised renewable power generation in urban pockets — especially in high-EV-density areas.
3. Industry Innovation: The private sector must move beyond just vehicle innovation to embrace energy innovation. This includes enabling solar-powered charging stations, vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities, and partnerships with clean energy providers. Startups and legacy manufacturers alike must take a systems-thinking approach to clean mobility.

Our Power, Our Planet, Our Problem to Solve

India’s ambition to become a global EV hub is admirable — but it will only be meaningful if backed by equally ambitious renewable energy integration. Fortunately, the groundwork is already being laid. The Indian government has demonstrated strong intent through initiatives like the National Solar Mission, Green Energy Corridor, and the PM-KUSUM scheme — all focused on expanding renewable capacity, decentralising solar generation, and integrating clean energy with our power infrastructure.

The recent push to promote solarisation of EV charging stations, along with net metering reforms and production-linked incentives (PLI) for green tech manufacturing, shows a clear recognition that energy and mobility transitions must go hand-in-hand.

This Earth Day, let us recognise that the shift to clean mobility is not just about moving from petrol pumps to power sockets — it’s about ensuring that the power in those sockets is green. The path to a truly sustainable transport ecosystem lies in collaboration — between industries, between ministries, and between technology and policy.

The vehicle may be electric, but the mission is collective.

Hemant Kabra is Founder of BGauss Electric. Views expressed are the author's own.