SUPREME COURT DIRECTS UNION TO FILE STATUS REPORT ON ELECTRIC VEHICLE POLICY AND CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE:

SUPREME COURT DIRECTS UNION TO FILE STATUS REPORT ON ELECTRIC VEHICLE POLICY AND CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE:

In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the promotion and implementation of electric vehicle policies, the Supreme Court recently directed the Union of India to file a status report on the policy decisions taken to promote electric vehicles (EVs) and the infrastructure required to support their use. The Court granted four weeks’ time to the Attorney General for India to present the policy decisions that the Union has made over time regarding the promotion of EVs and the establishment of necessary infrastructure, such as charging stations, to facilitate EV usage. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on May 14. 

Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh passed this order after hearing Advocate Prashant Bhushan, who represented the petitioners. Bhushan highlighted that in 2012, the Centre had set a target of having around 70 lakh electric vehicles on the road by 2020, but even by 2025, the number of electric vehicles on the road stands at only 35 lakh.

Bhushan further argued that India has over 26 crore fossil fuel-powered vehicles, which contribute significantly to pollution and environmental harm. He pointed out that while the government had introduced a few subsidies for purchasing EVs, there has been minimal effort to build the necessary infrastructure for EV charging. For instance, in 2012, the government had set a target of providing 2.27 lakh charging stations for EVs, but only about 27,000 charging stations have been established so far. Bhushan raised concerns over why every parking lot could not have multiple charging stations for EVs. 

In response, the bench noted that the adoption of electric vehicles also depends on market dynamics, public trust, and the capacity of consumers to purchase EVs, in addition to government policies. Justice Kant also observed that the automobile manufacturing industry is one of the largest sectors in India, generating substantial revenue and providing significant employment. In light of these discussions, the Court directed the Union, represented by Attorney General R. Venkataramani, to submit a report detailing the policies implemented to promote electric vehicles and establish the requisite charging infrastructure. 

The Court had previously raised similar concerns in 2020, noting the environmental impact of fossil fuel-run vehicles, not just in the National Capital Region (NCR) but across the entire country. The Court had sought assistance from all parties on several aspects, including the procurement of electric vehicles, the establishment of charging ports, a feebate system (imposing fees on high-emission vehicles and providing subsidies for EVs), the use of hydrogen vehicles, alternative power sources for vehicles, and the overall impact on imports and the environment.