MORE THAN TESLA, INDIA NEEDS GREEN PUBLIC TRANSPORT

NEW DELHI : Tesla just opened its office in India. Based on reading what I could find, it seems Tesla will sell its famously expensive electric vehicles here. Was I the only one disappointed that the most high-profile electrical vehicle entry into India was about private cars? India needs to reduce private vehicles on its roads to fight air pollution and climate change. We need to create a thriving competition for electric buses that are efficient, affordable and upgradable, at least in some aspects. Tesla isn’t giving us this. Nor is it creating jobs as nothing is manufactured here. I hope Tesla will be responsible for the batteries of the cars it sells. I see a silver lining though: Tesla’s entry has underscored that India too, is a market, however nascent, for EVS. If things go right, this symbolism, coupled with good policy, will precipitate competition and draw manufacturers.

But what shall we do with our EV infrastructure? We need charging stations. This means we will need more stations per thousand cars. We will need repair mechanics and spare parts -- currently a challenge. To fight climate change and air pollution, we need to reduce private transportation and increase public. These are the successes we want in the headlines, although a rich man selling overpriced electric cars to a few is also an important insight.