While an average two-wheeler gives a mileage of 40 kilometers for a litre of petrol costing Rs 82.40, an electric vehicle requires only one unit to cover more than 40 kilometers costing approximately Rs 10. This simple data questions our citizens’ loyalty towards petrol vehicles, which crossed 2.5 crore mark in the State this year. In comparison, the country has manufactured only 2.5 lakh electric vehicles in the past eight years across the country. 

Experts claim that lack of awareness about the EV was the main reason behind the poor growth rate. Elaborating on it, Satish Kumar of Nappinnai, an automobile company based in Chennai which designs and manufactures vehicles that run on green technology, said, “It is tough to convince people to buy an EV given less awareness about it. Even the people who have knowledge about it are also reluctant to purchase EV as it is a new segment.”

The city’s average annual growth rate of vehicles between 2006 and 2016 was a 12.8%. According to a recent report by the Centre for Science and Environment, Chennai’s PM10 (dust particles below 10 microns in size) concentration was way above the permissible level of 60 micrograms/cubic metre. 

SM Shiva Nagendra, a professor from IIT Madras, said, “Motor vehicles have contributed to pollution levels since 2010. EVs are an alternative as they have no exhaust emissions and it can improve the air quality.”

The other issue with EVs is that they can only cover shorter distances before it requires a re-charge. But this can be resolved by developing infrastructure. “This lack of infrastructure hinders the growth of electric vehicles in our city. A huge amount of fund is required to put an appropriate footing in place. Electric vehicles demand two kinds of infrastructure – good roads and parking facilities. A smooth surface ensures that electric vehicles sustain fewer damages. The current condition of roads is non-motorable for electric vehicles,” Satish added.

A senior official from the State Transport Authority said, “Government had planned to set up charging stations in petrol bunks. This was aborted after petrol bunk owners raised a stiff opposition thinking that it would affect their business. The government can develop large-scale infrastructure using a public-private partnership model. It is necessary to think in a long-term.” he added.