India: The end of internal combustion engines

As the largest e-car market in the world, China is often mentioned when it comes to the series production of new electric vehicles. However, many other countries are also increasingly investing in electric mobility solutions. Among them is densely populated India, where corporations like Suzuki dominate the growing automotive industry. In the course of the global advance of electric vehicles, this company recently announced its strategy for the future. 

Maruti Suzuki had already phased out diesel vehicles in 2020. In a joint venture with the government, India's largest carmaker now plans to ban petrol cars as well. By 2032, the group plans to switch its entire portfolio to hybrids, synthetic fuels and pure electric cars. "There will be no more petrol-burning cars. These will either be electrified or converted to CNG or bio-fuels," explains Chief Technical Officer CV Raman. Until then, Suzuki will work on bringing its powertrains in line with fuel economy and emission norms - with compliance with the so-called Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standard (CAFE) later this year and 2023 Indian emission standards.  

The market launch of Maruti Suzuki's first all-electric vehicle is not scheduled until 2025, but already shows good potential. Especially with regard to purchase prices, the Indian electric vehicle sector could have an advantage over the European sector. Unlike in Europe, Raman says, cost parity between electric cars and combustion engines could soon be achieved in India. Nevertheless, the electrification of transport remains a challenge in the South Asian republic. Above all, high charging costs and inadequate charging and road infrastructure will initially make a switch to electric and hybrid drive profitable only for fleets, for example in the commercial sector.  

Suzuki will not only have to deal with infrastructure problems, but also with the difficult question of electricity supply - which currently remains unanswered in Western countries as well. Coal still produces about 70 per cent of India's electricity. Both car companies and the government are aware that the energy mix has to change in order to achieve the COP26 reduction targets. Only with electricity production from renewable resources could the target of increasing the e-car share by 30% and support the mobility transition on a truly sustainable basis.  

How this is to be done is as unclear in India as it is indispensable - as it is in Europe. After all, more electric cars on the roads are only a truly sustainable solution if the system required to operate them is also adapted to climate-friendly principles. To accelerate the switch to alternative fuels in India as well, it might be time to introduce environmental zones as well. Also, in view of the constantly poor air quality and the immense smog from which the population suffers, it would not be a bad idea to adopt the principle of driving bans for old combustion engines. Will the internal combustion engine be phased out first by the manufacturer Suzuki, then in the big cities in India?