Prices of EVs to match those of petrol vehicles in 2 years, says Gadkari

Technology is updating fast and electric vehicles (EVs), which sound exorbitantly priced now, will cost at par with petrol-run vehicles in not more than two years, said Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in Parliament on Tuesday (March 22). The minister was replying on the Demands for Grants for Road Transport and Highways Ministry, 2022-23.

Gadkari said that green fuel is becoming cheaper which will further bring down the prices of electric vehicles. “I can say [that] within maximum two years, the cost of electric scooter, car, autorickshaw will be same as petrol-driven scooter, car, autorickshaw,” he said.

The Union urged people to adopt cost-effective indigenous fuel, which will cut down on pollution and improve air quality in not just Delhi but all major cities in India.

Gadkari also urged MPs to take up projects in their constituencies to produce hydrogen from sewage water. He said that by doing so they will be contributing to generation of clean and indigenous fuel thus reducing India’s oil imports. Hydrogen will soon be the cheapest fuel alternative, he said.

“Prices of lithium-ion battery are coming down. We are developing this chemistry of zinc-ion, aluminium-ion, sodium-ion batteries. If petrol, you are spending ₹100, then on electric vehicle you will spend ₹10 (for using),” the minister said.

The minister said that India’s road infrastructure will match that of the US by December 2024. “Since I began working in this field, I have always kept a statement by [former United States president] John F Kennedy in mind – ‘American roads are not good because America is rich. America is rich because American roads are good,” he said.

On the infrastructure development of Delhi, Gadkari said that road projects worth ₹62,000 crore have been undertaken for the national capital to reduce pollution and ease traffic congestion.

He told the Lok Sabha that all toll collection points within 60 km of each other on national highways will be closed in the coming three months. The government will also give passes to people who live near toll booths based on their Aadhaar cards.