The current goal of the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is to reduce GST on hybrid vehicles to promote a green economy in India. Alongside, he has committed to remove the 36 crore plus petrol and diesel vehicles from the country.
When questioned, Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, confirmed with certainty that India can entirely get rid of petrol and diesel cars.
In an interview with PTI, Gadkari stated, “It is difficult but not impossible. This is my vision.” According to the minister, India’s expenditure on fuel imports amounts to Rs 16 lakh crore.
Gadkari’s Vision Towards Sustainable Mobility
The union minister understands the importance of reallocating these funds to uplift farmers’ lives, promote prosperity in rural areas, and generate employment opportunities for the youth. However, Gadkari did not reveal any deadline for achieving this ambitious goal.
He reported that the recommendation to decrease GST on hybrid vehicles to 5% and 12% for flex engines has been submitted to the Finance Ministry. Further, the minister asserted that by encouraging the adoption of biofuels, the country could end the fuel imports.
Environmental activists applauded Gadkari’s initiative to promote green mobility. However, the activist raised concerns about the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation.
Since 2004, Gadkari has been advocating for alternative fuels. He believes that changes will take place within the next five to seven years. The Minister told PTI, “I cannot give you a date and year for this transformation to take place as it is very difficult. This is difficult but not impossible.”
Transformative Trends: Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles
The minister stated that with the rapid adoption of EVs, the coming period will mostly feature alternative and biofuels, thus fulfilling this vision.
Gadkari mentioned that automakers like Bajaj, TVS, and Hero are considering the production of motorcycles with flex engines. Moreover, there are plans underway for auto rickshaws to adopt similar technology.
The union minister told PTI, “I roam around in a car that runs on hydrogen. You can see electric cars in every other household. People who used to say this was impossible, have changed their views now and started believing in what I have been saying for the last 20 years.”
Also, he added, “Tata and Ashok Leyland have introduced trucks that run on hydrogen. There are trucks that run on LNG/CNG. There are 350 factories across the country of bio-CNG.”
Indeed, a revolution is underway. The end of fuel imports will lead to the emergence of a self-sufficient nation –Atmanirbhar Bharat.
