The sixth episode of the Shoonya Webinar Series brought together a diverse group of market leaders to examine how India’s mobility transition is evolving as electric vehicles (EVs) scale across segments. The panel, comprising representatives from power utilities, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and think tanks, discussed what this transition means for energy independence, grid planning, and long-term system resilience. The discussion moved beyond individual vehicle technologies, focusing instead on how transport, energy, infrastructure, and data systems must align as India looks toward energy independence by 2047.

The discussion highlighted India’s role as a frontrunner among Global South economies in the clean mobility transition. Reflecting on this momentum, Anannya Das Banerjee (Associate Director, Global South Center for Clean Transportation, Institute of Transport Studies, UC Davis) noted that “India is moving at an unprecedented pace and EVs are currently centric to the energy transition conversation… and we have already progressed from an initial early technology adoption to mainstreaming it.” She stressed that this shift marks a move beyond hesitation or uncertainty around EV technologies, with adoption now visibly expanding across different vehicle segments, supported by increasingly targeted policy frameworks at both the national and state levels.

In the two-wheeler segment, panellists reflected on India’s rapid progress and the divergence between e-scooter and electric motorcycle adoption. Madhu Singh (Vice President, EV Business & Product Management (ICE + EV), TVS Motor) observed that the market has reached a turning point, saying, “I call it almost an inflexion point where there’s a critical mass of electric two-wheeler vehicles available, and this transition is going to be much faster in the future.” He highlighted the importance of local manufacturing, especially of battery cells, for long-term energy security.

Looking ahead, Abhishek Ranjan (Chief Executive Officer, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited) cautioned that India’s energy transition must avoid shifting one form of import dependence to another, stating that “Going forward, we should not replace crude oil imports with battery imports.” He highlighted that while lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries currently dominate the EV market, emerging chemistries such as sodium-ion offer opportunities for India to build leadership over time. He noted ongoing government efforts toward domestic cell manufacturing and gigafactories, alongside the need for continued diversification in battery chemistry to strengthen long-term energy resilience.

From a policy and industry lens, Feroz Khan (Head, Corporate Affairs, Government Relations, Policy Advocacy, and Global Regulations, Hero MotoCorp) reflected on the evolution of government support in the past decade, noting, “We are very fast moving towards the ambitious government target of 30% electrification by 2030,” while emphasising policy consistency and regulatory maturity as critical enablers of industry confidence and scale. Finally, focusing on state-level implementation and charging access, Subrata Mitra (Senior Vice President, Head Government Relations and Policy, Ather Energy), reinforced the primacy of home and workplace charging for mass adoption, stating, “for personal usage, the primary charging has to be at home or at work” and highlighting that public charging should complement it, not replace it.

The session concluded with a shared optimism that India’s clean mobility transition, if guided by coordinated planning, digital innovation, and policy stability, can play a central role in achieving India’s energy independence and global climate leadership by 2047.

You can view the full discussion by accessing the webinar recording here.