5 things India Can Learn from China’s EV Strategies

China's EV revolution offers valuable insights for India.

Introduction

As the global shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) accelerates, India finds itself at a crossroads. With the potential to become a major player in the EV market, India can draw valuable lessons from China, a nation that has successfully positioned itself as a global leader in this space. By examining China’s approach, India can identify actionable strategies to build a sustainable and thriving EV ecosystem.

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1. Building Robust Infrastructure

One of the cornerstones of China’s EV success is its extensive charging infrastructure. With over 3.2 million charging points, China has alleviated range anxiety and made EVs a practical choice for consumers.

This proactive approach ensured that infrastructure development kept pace with vehicle adoption, creating a seamless transition for EV users.

Lessons for India:

  • Expand Charging Networks: India must prioritize establishing a reliable and widespread charging network. Public and private sector collaboration can accelerate this effort.
  • Innovative Charging Solutions: Explore solutions such as battery swapping stations and fast-charging hubs, particularly in urban areas and along highways.
  • Standardization: Implement standardized charging protocols to ensure interoperability across different EV brands.

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2. Policy Consistency and Incentives

China’s EV growth has been fueled by consistent government policies and incentives. Subsidies for EV manufacturers and buyers, tax exemptions, and support for research and development (R&D) have created a favorable environment for the industry. Even as subsidies are being phased out, China’s EV market continues to thrive, demonstrating the long-term impact of initial government support.

Lessons for India:

  • Sustained Focus on Policies: While initiatives like FAME II are steps in the right direction, India needs to ensure consistent and long-term policy support.
  • Incentivize Local Manufacturing: Encourage domestic production of EVs and components through tax breaks and subsidies.
  • Support R&D: Invest in R&D to foster innovation in EV technology, including battery advancements and energy-efficient designs.

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3. Battery Supply Chain Dominance

China’s dominance in the EV sector is closely tied to its control over the battery supply chain. By localizing production and securing access to critical raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, China has minimized dependency on imports and reduced production costs. This vertical integration has positioned China as a global hub for EV battery manufacturing.

Lessons for India:

  • Localize Battery Production: Establish gigafactories and incentivize domestic battery manufacturing to reduce reliance on imports.
  • Secure Raw Materials: Forge international partnerships and explore domestic reserves of critical minerals.
  • Promote Recycling: Develop a robust lithium-ion battery recycling ecosystem to recover valuable materials and ensure sustainability.

4. Consumer Awareness and Adoption

China has actively promoted EVs as a viable and desirable option through public campaigns and urban policies, such as restricting internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in certain areas. These measures have significantly boosted consumer confidence and adoption rates.

Lessons for India:

  • Public Awareness Campaigns: Educate consumers about the benefits of EVs, including cost savings, environmental impact, and government incentives.
  • Urban Policies: Introduce measures like low-emission zones and preferential parking for EVs to encourage adoption.
  • Focus on Affordability: Work with manufacturers to produce affordable EV models tailored to the Indian market.

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5. Leveraging India’s Unique Strengths

While learning from China’s strategies, India must also capitalize on its unique strengths. With a large pool of skilled engineers, a thriving IT sector, and a growing renewable energy capacity, India can carve its own path in the EV revolution.

Key Areas of Focus:

  • Renewable Energy Integration: Ensure that the electricity powering EVs comes from renewable sources to maximize environmental benefits.
  • Digital Solutions: Leverage India’s IT expertise to develop smart charging solutions and EV management systems.
  • Export Potential: Position India as a global hub for EV exports by focusing on cost-effective production and high-quality standards.

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Conclusion

India has immense potential to lead the global EV revolution. By learning from China’s strategies—building robust infrastructure, ensuring policy consistency, and dominating the battery supply chain—and adapting them to its unique challenges, India can create a thriving EV ecosystem. With the right mix of government support, industry collaboration, and consumer engagement, India can pave the way for a sustainable and electrified future.

 

Kumar Priyadarshi
Kumar Priyadarshi

Kumar Joined IISER Pune after qualifying IIT-JEE in 2012. In his 5th year, he travelled to Singapore for his master’s thesis which yielded a Research Paper in ACS Nano. Kumar Joined Global Foundries as a process Engineer in Singapore working at 40 nm Process node. Working as a scientist at IIT Bombay as Senior Scientist, Kumar Led the team which built India’s 1st Memory Chip with Semiconductor Lab (SCL).

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