Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is determined to lead India towards becoming a green economy by advocating for the widespread adoption of hybrid vehicles and ultimately eliminating petrol and diesel vehicles entirely. Gadkari expressed his vision of achieving a 100% transition to green vehicles in an interview, emphasizing the potential benefits such as reducing fuel imports, improving the lives of farmers, boosting rural prosperity, and generating employment opportunities for the youth.
Gadkari highlighted the staggering amount of money India spends on fuel imports and proposed redirecting these funds towards sustainable initiatives. Although he did not provide a specific timeline for achieving this ambitious goal, Gadkari believes it is achievable through promoting biofuels and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
To support this transition, Gadkari has proposed reducing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on hybrid vehicles to five percent and on flex engines to 12 percent, with the requisition currently under consideration by the Finance Ministry.
While environmental activists welcome Gadkari's vision for increasing green mobility, they also caution against the continued reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation. They stress the importance of transitioning to 100% renewable energy sources alongside electric vehicles to effectively address the climate crisis.
Gadkari has been advocating for alternative fuels since 2004 and remains confident that significant changes will occur in the next five to seven years. Despite acknowledging the challenges ahead, Gadkari maintains that achieving a fully green transportation system in India is difficult but not impossible.
