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Subsidising the status quo: How BEE fails EV transition
The article argues that India’s BEE CAFE draft weakens the EV transition, contrasting it with Delhi's EV policy and national goals. It highlights loopholes such as incentives for FFVs and PHEVs, and cites global EV adoption comparisons to contend that India risks lagging in the transition.
Why It Matters
A weak emissions framework could slow India's energy security and its position in global leadership of the EV era.
Timeline
13 Events
Call for BEE to tighten CAFE to avoid regressing
May 6, 2026
The article calls on BEE to stop writing regulations for the status quo and to tighten the CAFE framework to drive real change.
Global EV adoption comparisons cited
May 6, 2026
The article cites international comparisons: Nepal at 75%, Singapore and Vietnam above 40%, Thailand 23%, Indonesia 20%, Korea above 15%, Brazil around 10%, and India at 2.5% in 2025.
Credits for start-stop systems, mild hybrids and LED lighting included
May 6, 2026
The regulation includes credits for start-stop systems, mild hybrids, and LED lighting—features the article says are already widely deployed.
PHEV super credits multiplier set at 2.5x
May 6, 2026
Plug-in hybrids receive a 2.5x super credits multiplier, a policy choice the article criticizes.
FFV incentives include 22.3% carbon neutrality factor and extra super credits
May 6, 2026
The draft offers a 22.3% carbon neutrality factor and additional super credits for FFVs, despite limited real-world emissions reductions.
Suzuki pledges 15% EV share by 2030
May 6, 2026
Suzuki, India's largest automaker, voluntarily committed to a 15% EV share by 2030.
NITI Aayog highlights $200 billion opportunity for 30% EV penetration
May 6, 2026
NITI Aayog highlighted a $200 billion opportunity linked to achieving 30% EV penetration.
PM Modi calls for eightfold increase in EV sales by 2030 under Viksit Bharat vision
May 6, 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an eightfold increase in EV sales by 2030 under the Viksit Bharat vision.
Delhi releases new EV policy aiming to phase out ICE two- and three-wheelers starting next year
May 6, 2026
Delhi's newly-released EV policy calls for phasing out internal combustion engine two- and three-wheelers starting next year.
BEE 2026 CAFE draft reduces target to 8-9% by 2032
May 6, 2026
The 2026 draft reduces the target to 8-9% by 2032, weakening the ambition.
India’s EV sales share at 2.5% in 2025
2025
In 2025, India clocked a mere 2.5% EV sales.
BEE 2025 CAFE draft targets 11-12% EV sales
2025
The 2025 draft diluted the EV sales target to 11-12%.
BEE 2024 CAFE draft targets 14-15% EV sales
2024
The 2024 draft of the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency standards targeted 14-15% EV sales.