Background:
India’s rapid urbanization and economic growth have intensified the demand for sustainable mobility solutions. With transport accounting for a significant share of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollution, the transition to electric mobility (e-mobility) is critical to achieving the nation’s climate goals.
As part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement, India aims to reduce its GHG intensity by 33–35% by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. A robust, circular battery ecosystem is central to this transformation, enabling advancements in renewable energy storage, electric vehicles (EVs), and clean urban transport.
However, challenges such as supply chain constraints, limited domestic technology development, and gaps in material processing infrastructure hinder progress. Addressing these barriers requires collaborative efforts across policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and innovators to foster innovation, scale solutions, and create a self-reliant battery value chain.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), has been at the forefront of supporting India’s e-mobility transition through initiatives like Electrifying Mobility in Cities: Investing in the Transformation to Electric Mobility in India. This project, implemented under the leadership of NITI Aayog, focuses on freight electrification, battery circularity, EV charging infrastructure, and equitable access to clean transport solutions.
