India’s EV transition cannot afford to ignore retrofitment
The article argues that India should prioritize retrofitting existing internal combustion engine vehicles with electric powertrains to accelerate its EV transition. It suggests this approach is more economically and culturally aligned with India's ethos of repair and reuse.
Why it matters
Retrofitting offers a scalable, cost-effective alternative to replacing the entire vehicle fleet, addressing energy security and decarbonization goals.
The conflict in West Asia has once again reminded the world of an uncomfortable truth — severe energy dependency is a structural vulnerability, not a temporary inconvenience. For emerging economies such as India, which imports more than 85% of its crude oil requirements, such events can quickly test energy security and economic resilience.
The piece presents a policy argument based on economic and cultural logic rather than partisan politics.
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