BS READS: Why EVs can be only slightly cleaner than petrol cars in India

Given India's reliance on coal, electric vehicles could at best be 10% more efficient than petrol in terms of CO2 savings, show BS calculations. Petrol cars more environment-friendly in some states

In March, Delhi Power Minister Satyendar Jain announced that the city government would install 500 electric charging points at 100 locations under the first phase of its electric vehicle (EV) policy unveiled last year. Besides the installation of an extensive city-wide network of EV charging points, the policy entails discounts for those buying electric vehicles and duty concessions. The aim is to increase EVs’ proportion in new vehicle registrations to at least a fourth by 2024.
 
It is not the Delhi government alone that is gung ho about EVs. In the Union Budget two years ago, the Centre had