India can reduce road transport CO₂-equivalent emissions by 50% by 2050 if it fully implements its current national and state-level electric vehicle (EV) targets, according to a new global study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).
The findings are part of the fourth edition of Vision 2050, ICCT’s annual assessment of the global transition to zero-emission vehicles. The report models the impact of current and proposed policies on vehicle sales, energy use, and emissions through mid-century.
The study concludes that if India’s existing and proposed EV targets are fully implemented, the country could cut both road transport CO₂-equivalent emissions and liquid fuel demand in half by 2050. Researchers say such reductions would help India stay on track toward its long-term net-zero target for 2070, while reducing dependence on volatile fossil fuel imports.
A key highlight of the report is India’s manufacturing strength. Nearly 80% of EVs sold in the country are domestically produced, placing India alongside major markets such as the European Union and Japan in meeting demand largely through local manufacturing.
The analysis notes that India’s EV trajectory will depend heavily on policy measures — including proposed fuel-efficiency norms, zero-emission vehicle targets, and state-level EV policies — rather than purely on market-driven forces.
While current EV sales shares remain modest, the report projects a sharp rise in adoption during the 2030s as national and state policies take effect. The most significant gains are expected in two- and three-wheelers, followed by passenger vehicles and eventually heavy-duty freight.
According to Arijit Sen, Senior Researcher at ICCT, India is well-positioned to accelerate its EV transition given its strong domestic manufacturing base and expanding regulatory framework.
Amit Bhatt, ICCT’s India Managing Director, added that the EV transition represents not just a climate opportunity but also an economic one. Strong supply-side regulations and localisation could strengthen domestic value chains, create jobs, and position India as a major player in clean transport manufacturing.