Electric East: India sets to make all cars electric by 2032

India’s most influential government think tank has unveiled a radical blueprint policy aimed at electrifying all of the country’s cars within the next 15 years.

What are electric cars and are they better for the environment?

Electric cars are cars that run at least partially on electricity powered by batteries or a fuel cell. Hybrid cars offer a petrol/diesel engine and a rechargeable battery. Other EVs rely on battery power only. A third, rarer class of EVs power the electric motor by converting hydrogen gas (hydrogen fuel cell vehicles).

Whilst certainly better than conventional cars in terms of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, just how much better EVs are tor the environment depends on the source of electricity. Battery engine EVs powered by the cleanest electricity sources produce net greenhouse gas emissions comparable to a car doing over 100 miles per gallon.

When charged by renewable sources, such as electricity produced by wind, solar or hydro energy, EVs can be nearly emission free.

Details of the Niti Aayog policy report

The report, issued on May 12th by Niti Aayog, the PM-led planning body, proposes lower taxes and loan interest rates on electric vehicles (EVs) whilst simultaneously putting a cap on the sale of traditional petrol and diesel models.

A new unified tax regime set to come into effect from July 1st also plans to impose a higher tax rate on hybrid vehicles in comparison to their electric counterparts in what is likely to be the third largest passenger car market in the next decade.

Although the plans are yet to be adopted, government sources have said the report would form the basis of a new green cars policy, echoing moves in China to push green vehicle technologies.

The previous policy plans, announced in 2015, addressed both, EVs and hybrid models (cars combining electric power and fossil fuels). By re-focusing on electric-only powered cars India is signifying a major shift in policy focus that will affect both, companies’ product offerings and consumer demands.

What is stopping EV progress?

The hindrances to the spreading electric vehicle use are likely to be same as elsewhere where EVs are looking to make an impact: prohibitively high battery costs, low electric battery mileage yield and poor infrastructure to make EV travel possible and painless.

India itself has only one electric car maker: the Mahindra Group. Sales have struggled due to low customer uptake and lack of infrastructure to make EV travel possible. According to journal OIPscience, the cost of setting up a charging station is anything from $500-25,000, depending on speed of charge.

The policy proposes funding the proposals through tax revenues from petrol and diesel vehicle sales but remains unclear about final figures or the amount of spend the government would have to contribute to cover any shortfall.

What happens next?

Currently, most automakers have focused on selling hybrid models as a stepping-stone to EVs, with Toyota recently launching its hybrid Prius in India and Hyundai looking for its Ioniq model to enter the market next year.

Now, however, car manufacturers are demanding more clarity before developing further release or manufacturing plans.

The world’s number two manufacturer by auto sales, Toyota, had planned a hybrid model for all its vehicles in India, but Indian subsidiary vice chairman has stated that the planned launches will now depend on the new policy. The sentiments have been echoed by Nissan, who have said they are looking to wait for further government steer before bringing electric cars to India.

So, how likely are these ambitious plans to pass? Much depends on the government being clear and transparent in its messaging to companies about what its 15 year vision looks like. It depends on how quickly India can improve infrastructure to make travel via EVs a real possibility rather than a cross between a motor show and The Amazing Race . And then there’s the money.

Further Reading:

How do hybrid cars and trucks work?

Cost-effective electric vehicle charging infrastructure siting for Delhi

India’s electric vehicles push likely to benefit Chinese car makers

Are electric vehicles better for the environment than gas-powered ones?

Is driving a Tesla better for the environment? It depends…

Plastic fantastic: can eco plastics save the world?

From food packaging to toys to airplanes… plastic is definitely one of the world’s most versatile, universal and, arguably, necessary materials. But – it comes at a cost. Made from synthetic carbon-based polymers made mostly from petroleum, plastic is a material that, once processed, does not easily integrate back into nature.

Yes, that bottle of water, in the hand for an average of 12 minutes, will remain on this earth for hundreds, if not thousands, of years if left to decompose of its own accord. Therein comes the plastic dilemma: disposable, dispensable and ubiquitous products of a material engineered to last forever (well, almost).

Plastic disposal creates pollution and leads to a catalogue of environmental disasters, such as The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Getting rid of plastic is extremely difficult. Burning it releases toxic fumes. Recycling is complicated due to the many and various types of plastics all requiring different processes.

In an attempt to address our plastic addiction, a new wave of ‘environmentally friendly’ plastics are now hitting the scene. These plastics can be broadly divided into three types:

1. Bioplastics: made from natural materials such as corn starch
2. Biodegradable plastics: still made from petrochemicals but designed to break down faster
3. Eco/recycled plastics: made from recycled plastics

Let’s take a look at them in turn.

Bioplastics are made on the principle that if we make plastic from kinder material to begin with they’ll break down more easily when we are done with them. Commonly made from corn, they often look indistinguishable from traditional plastic products. In addition to using less energy to produce, bioplastics also produce 70% less greenhouse gases when they degrade in landfills. (Read more on NatureWorks.) Products made from this type of plastic are surprisingly wide-ranging, in use for everything from 3D printing to beauty and household.

Biodegradable plastics are something you may have noticed if you are in the habit of reading supermarket bags. These plastics contain additives that will cause them to break down faster in the presence of light and oxygen (‘oxo-degradable’). Unlike their bioplastic counterparts, these plastics contain all the usual suspects of petrochemical base materials, may not degrade in landfill conditions and will leave a toxic residue when decomposed, making them unsuitable for composting.

Recycled plastics are one solution to turn old waste materials into new products – and that doesn’t just mean more plastic bottles. Plastics can, in fact, be recycled into everything from new shoes to building materials to clothes. It is more difficult to judge the benefit of recycled plastic for the environment, given that we must consider any potential saving in water and energy it takes to collect, process and transform old material versus simply making it anew.

However, the benefits of rubbish elimination and environmental transformation can be significant. An exemplary example of this is Haiti, where the lack of a formal rubbish collection system has led citizens to take control of their environment, establishing The Plastic Bank:

3 Problems with ‘eco’ plastics.

Unfortunately, saving the world is never as easy as one may hope. As with most things, the new ways to manage plastics face limits and complications. Three of the fundamental problems with the new plastics are:

1. Even bio plastic takes its time to die. Biodegradable plastics and bio plastics do not decompose that easily. They need moisture and heat and good conditions and the process can take many years and then, still, leave behind a nasty residue.
2. Recycling dilemma. Biodegradable plastics and bio plastics are not easy to recycle. The mix up of these plastics with traditional plastic products can wreak havoc on recycling management programmes, undermining years of effort. Companies need to be more clean in how to properly dispose of their products.
3. The jargon. Many people thing terms like ‘biodegradable’, ‘compostable’ and ‘bioplastic’ are interchangeable, whilst they all signify a variety of different production and waste processes. This can hinder efforts to bring the products to market and consumers are a long way from being clear in their choice.

So, what’s the verdict on the earth credentials of eco plastics?

Whilst it is encouraging to see the progress made to solve the issue with traditional plastics, it is clear we are far off a perfect solution. Biodegradable plastics are, in particular, in the spotlight for misleading with the environmental promise given the length of time they take to decompose and their inherent toxic consistency. Bioplastics are in the line of fire for using GM crops and confusing recycling systems. Plastic recycling, in the meantime, does not eliminate the need for production of new products in the first instance.

As usual, in the end it’s just down to you. Some tips for assisting the plastic problem are:

1. That canvas / reusable bag you have hanging around – put a few in the car and carry one around in your jacket pocket or handbag
2. Collect loose fruit and vegetables from the supermarket isle rather than buying them prepackaged
3. Invest in longer lasting items with replaceable parts rather than disposable items – e.g. drinking bottles, razor blades, pens, reusable coffee cups etc.
4. Think about what you are buying. The heart trembles at the idea of how much empty space in the world is filled with unwanted Kinder Surprise toys.
5. Dispose of your plastic properly. We know now that it matters.

Further Reading:

Biodegradable plastics: are they better for the environment?

Greenwash: Biodegradable bags carry more ecological harm than good.

Biodegradable plastic: ‘false solution’ for ocean waste problem

The difference between degradable, biodegradable and compostable

The New Plastic Economy: Catalyzing Action

The Sun King of China: did he dream too big?

 

I don’t like [the sun king], the king often be killed” says China’s solar entrepreneur, Huang Ming. “I’d rather be called the world number one solar crazy guy”.

Huang Ming’s vision was to build a solar valley to demonstrate the power of solar. A way of life that he believes should be for everyone.

The valley includes a low emission hotel and conference center, a solar museum and solar houses. Solar architecture is integrated into the design.

Although his dream was to build a replicable example to be built across other Chinese cities, this has not transpired, mostly on account of technology being too expensive.

“When people ask me ‘Are you proud of Solar Valley?’ I would say that not really”.

“The purpose was to promote, to copy that. And now, there is only one solar valley in China, in the world”, says the entrepreneur.

When asked whether he dreamed too big he answers, ” a little bit”.

“But I don’t regret”.

Fairphone: a better phone is a phone made better

I don’t feel 100% good about the fact that I have an iPhone. Yes, I love the smartphone functionality, FaceTime, free international iMessaging and the idea that my phone can be the window to the world for everything, from hailing a taxi to booking restaurants and accommodation to being my mobile cinema.

However, ignorance is bliss when it comes to its components.

Not that there is much excuse for ignorance any more. Apple have been in the press for using child labour, overworking staff and causing devastating pollution on their factory sites (Read here, here and here).

It is hard to ignore at least the suspicion that big companies are turning a blind eye to human and environmental abuses to feed demand for products in the West, where the appetite for questioning is abated with marketing and offers of regular updates.

Welcome, Fairphone. Hailing from Amsterdam, the magic spring for all things cool, innovative and desirable, Fairphone is attempting to change the game when it comes to smartphones tech so that we don’t have to choose between our appetite for gadgets and our conscience.

Aiming to create a positive social and environmental impact, Fairphone is out to achieve the following:

• Long-lasting design eliminating the irritating treadmill of planned obsolescence and never-ending upgrades
• Fair materials
• Good working conditions
• Reuse and recycling

By opening up its supply chain, Fairphone is starting a long-overdue discussion about the story behind the products because, you know, products don’t really just come from malls.

Attracting big time media attention worldwide, Fairphone is well on the way to achieving its mission of using business as a drive for social change.

And I really want one.

Read more:

Can an ethical smartphone change the world?

How was your smartphone made? Nobody really knows.

Smart covers, new cameras: where the world’s most ethical smartphone goes next.