International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
Electric Mobility in India: Policy Framework, Infrastructure Challenges, and Pathways for Sustainable Urban Transformation
Ar. Laavanya Tewari1 , Ar. Vaibhav Kulshrestha2, Ar. Mohd Arsh Khan3
1,2nd Year, MURP, Faculty of Architecture & Planning, AKTU, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226007 (India)
2Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architecture & Planning, AKTU, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226007 (India)
3,2nd Year, MURP, Faculty of Architecture & Planning, AKTU, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226007 (India)
Abstract - India'sfasturbanizationhascreatedpreviously unheard-ofproblemswithairpollution,relianceonfossilfuels, and energy instability. Since transport is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions, policy interventions aimed at attaining sustainable development have made it a central focus. In this regard, electric mobility has become a strategicoptionthatmayimproveenergyefficiencyandurban live ability while lessening environmental effects. This study looks at how electric transportation has developed in India, includinginstitutionalstructures,regulatoryframeworks,and infrastructurepreparedness.Thepaperassessestheefficacyof current electric mobility programs and pinpoints significant obstaclestowidespreadadoptionusingsecondarydatafrom government publications, policy documents, and academic research. The results show that although India has made significantstridesthroughpolicyinterventionsliketheFaster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme and the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP), issues with market readiness, regulatory coordination,andcharginginfrastructurestillexist.Inorder to guarantee a smooth and equitable transition to electric transportation, the paper's conclusion suggests coordinated policy measures, reinforced institutional structures, and ongoinginvestment.
Key Words: Electric Mobility, Sustainable Transport, Urban Mobility, Electric Vehicles, Policy Framework, India
1. INTRODUCTION
UrbanIndiaisexperiencing swiftchangecharacterizedby rising population, increased vehicle usage, and growing energy needs. The transportation industry, largely dependent on fossil fuels, plays a major role in urban air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and risks to public health.Inthiscontext,electricmobilityhasbecomeavital elementofIndia’ssustainabilitydevelopmentplan. Electricvehicles(EVs),encompassingtwo-wheelers,threewheelers,buses,andprivatecars,aremorefrequentlyseen as alternatives to lessen reliance on imported fuels and alleviate urban environmental decline. The Indian Governmenthassetambitiousgoalsforelectricmobilityvia national initiatives and state policies, placing EVs at the heartoffutureurbantransportation.Nonetheless,despite significant advancements, the shift continues to be inconsistentamongdifferentregionsandtypesofvehicles.
This study thoroughly investigates the development of electricmobilityinurbanIndia,evaluatingpolicystructures, infrastructuregrowth,marketintegration,andinstitutional obstacles. It seeks to pinpoint essential gaps and offer insightsintohoweffectivecurrentstrategiesareinattaining sustainableurbanmobility.
2. Evolution of Electric Mobility in India
2.1 Early Developments and Policy Foundations
TheinitialstageofelectricmobilityinIndiacommencedin thelate1990swithrestrictedtrials,includingthelaunchof electric three-wheelers and compact passenger vehicles. Nonetheless, elevated expenses, insufficient battery technology, and lack of supportive infrastructure limited initialadoption.TheNationalElectricMobilityMissionPlan (NEMMP)initiatedin2013representedapivotalmomentby offeringastrategicframeworkforpromotingEVadoption andlocalproduction.
Later programs, especially the Faster Adoption and ManufacturingofElectricVehicles(FAME)initiatives,greatly transformedthepolicyenvironment.FAME-I(2015–2019) provided financial incentives for EV acquisitions and initiated pilot charging infrastructure, whereas FAME-II (2019onward)broadenedassistancefortheelectrification ofpublictransport,focusing particularlyon electric buses andsharedmobilityoptions.
2.2 Expansion under FAME-II and Beyond
SignificantpublicinvestmentwasmadeunderFAME-IIfor electric buses, charging facilities, and demand incentives. Duringthisphase,therewasarapidincreaseintheuseof electric two- and three-wheelers, especially in urban and suburbanregions.ConcurrentprogramsliketheProduction Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme promoted local manufacturingofbatteriesandEVparts,lesseningreliance onimports.
Recent initiatives like PM E-DRIVE and state-level EV policies enhanced the institutional framework by linking transport electrification with urban planning, renewable energy,andindustrialgrowth.
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
3. Policy and Institutional Framework
Central, state, and municipal governments make up the multi-tiered institutional framework that oversees India's electrictransportationenvironment.Whileotherministries govern things like electricity supply, urban development, and environmental protection, the Ministry of Heavy IndustriesisinchargeofdevelopingandimplementingEV policies.
State governments are essential in converting federal policiesintoprogramsthatcanbeimplemented.Anumber of jurisdictions have implemented EV-specific laws that providefinancialincentives,loweredregistrationcosts,and infrastructure subsidies for charging. However, different regionshavehaddifferentresultsasaresultofinconsistent policydesignandimplementation.
Delaysandinefficienciesarefrequentlycausedbyalackof cooperation between several authorities. To guarantee successful policy implementation, inter-institutional cooperation must be strengthened and clear regulatory frameworksmustbeestablished.
4. Infrastructure and Technological Landscape
4.1
Charging Infrastructure
CharginginfrastructureremainsacriticaldeterminantofEV adoption. Although India has witnessed rapid growth in publicchargingstations,theirdistributionremainsuneven, concentratedlargelyinmetropolitanregions.Slowchargers dominate the network, while fast-charging infrastructure, essential for commercial and public transport operations, remainslimited.
Thelackofstandardizedcharginginterfaces,highlandcosts inurbanareas,andcomplexapprovalprocessescontinueto hinder infrastructure expansion. Nevertheless, initiatives such as public–private partnerships, battery swapping models,andintegrationwithrenewableenergyaregradually addressingthesegaps.
4.2 Vehicle Segmentation and Adoption Patterns
Electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers account for the largest share of EV adoption, driven by lower costs, suitability for short urban trips, and policy incentives. Electric buses are increasingly deployed in metropolitan cities, contributing significantly to emission reductions in public transport systems. In contrast, electric cars, while growing, still face barriers related to affordability and chargingaccessibility.
The dominance of shared and commercial usage in EV adoption highlights the importance of fleet operators and publictransportagenciesindrivingthetransition.
5. Governance and Institutional Challenges
Paratransitisstillpoorlyregulateddespiteitsextensiveuse. Due to the division of regulatory duties among several bodies, there is little service supervision, unclear fare control, and uneven enforcement. The incorporation of paratransit into official transport planning procedures is limitedbytheabsenceofacohesiveinstitutionalstructure. Additionally,operationalinefficienciesandsafetyproblems areexacerbatedbythelackofuniformservicestandardsand performancecriteria.Coordinatedgovernanceprocedures andexplicitgovernmentalacknowledgementofparatransit's roleinurbanmobilityarenecessarytoaddresstheseissues.
6. Role of Electric Mobility in Sustainable Urban Development
By lowering greenhouse gas emissions, boosting energy efficiency, and improving air quality, electric mobility is essential to the advancement of sustainable urban development. Buses and shared mobility services are examplesofpublictransportsystemsthatcanbeelectrified togreatlyreduceurbanemissionsandincreaselow-income communities'accesstomobility.
Additionally, by encouraging the integration of renewable energysourcesandloweringrelianceonfossilfuels,electric mobilityadvancesmoregeneralenvironmentalobjectives. Electricmobilitymayhelpcreatecommunitiesthataremore resilient,efficient,andcompactwhencombinedwithpublic transportationsystemsandland-useplanning.
7. Challenges and Way Forward
ThebroadadoptionofelectricmobilityinIndiaishampered byanumberofissues,despitenotableadvancements.These includefragmentedinstitutionalframeworks,highstartup expenses, little consumer awareness, and insufficient infrastructure for charging. Coordinated efforts from financialinstitutions,privatesectorplayers,andgovernment agenciesareneededtoaddresstheseissues.
Expanding charging infrastructure, bolstering local manufacturingcapacity,enhancingpolicyconsistency,and promotingpublic-privatepartnershipsshouldbethemain objectivesoffutureinitiatives.Campaignsforawarenessand capacity building will also be essential in hastening acceptance.
8. Conclusion
Indiahasarevolutionarychancetoachieveenergysecurity and sustainable urban development through electric transportation. Although legislative measures have set a solidbasis,coordinatedaction,stronginfrastructure,and ongoing investment are necessary for successful implementation. India can move towards a more robust,
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 13 Issue: 01 | Jan 2026 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
efficient, and clean transportation system by removing currentobstaclesandusingtechnologydevelopments.
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