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Our work in the transport sector aims at low-carbon modes of transport that are sustainable and inclusive in nature. We have pioneered policy research in this sector with expertise in issues related to energy efficiency and emissions modeling. Among others, our focus areas include electric vehicles, railways, urban transport.
Follow the first principles of reducing transport emissions in enhancing fuel efficiency and promoting zero emission vehicles.
Between 1992 and 2015, official estimates recorded 24,223 deaths caused by heatwaves, earning it the labels of a “silent killer” or an “invisible disaster.”
Trucks have gradually become a dominant mode of freight transport, replacing the railway, the traditional bulk commodity carrier. Crisscrossing through the country, trucks are responsible for nearly 40 percent of carbon emissions and air pollution in the urban areas.[1]
Global dependence on fossil fuels in the transport sector has been a key driver of climate change and air pollution. In India, motorized transport accounts for a large share of the country’s total GHG emissions. Therefore, the swift replacement of internal combustion engines (ICE Vehicles) with Electric Vehicles (EVs) is imperative to decarbonize India’s transport sector.
Roads and railways bind a nation and bring people together. They facilitate the achievement of SDGs, as without adequate mobility, SDGs cannot be achieved and sustained.
India’s ambition for Viksit Bharat by 2047 implies a major expansion of the built environment, with 70–75 per cent of what is required by 2047 still to be constructed. At the same time, India’s urban footprint is set to grow, with 40–42 per cent of the population expected to live in urban locations by 2030, creating new demand across housing, commercial real estate and infrastructure. Buildings and construction contribute 25–33 per cent of India’s total national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This includes both operational and embodied emissions.
Presently, India is the third largest automotive manufacturer in the world, contributing to 7.1 per cent of India’s GDP, providing direct and indirect jobs to 19 million people. The transport sector is one of the most polluting sectors with road transport presently accounting for 13 per cent of India’s energy-related CO2 emissions. To mitigate pollution and achieve its 2070 net zero target, the nation is focusing on decarbonizing transport through various initiatives. Electrification of vehicles is a crucial measure towards the decarbonization of transport in India.
India’s maritime sector is entering a decisive phase of expansion, driven by rising trade volumes, industrial corridors and coastal development. Ports sit at the intersection of shipping, logistics, industry and energy systems, and their operational footprint increasingly shapes both national emissions trajectories and local environmental outcomes. Historically, port development has focused on capacity expansion and efficiency, with environmental performance treated as a secondary consideration.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in partnership with Artha Global, convened a National Workshop on Clean Air Zones (CAZ) to share technical insights, implementation experiences, and financing pathways for improving urban air quality through corridor-focused interventions. The workshop presented ongoing CAZ pilot work in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam and discussed how such approaches can support cleaner and more livable urban streets.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and DG Shipping jointly organised a two-day national workshop titled “Maritime India @ Net Zero: Pathways for Decarbonising Shipping, Ports and Inland Waterways” to facilitate informed dialogue on India’s transition towards a low- and zero-emission maritime sector.
With climate risks rising, new Belém Adaptation Indicators aim to guide funding and action, as India looks to align its national adaptation plans with local realities and climate resilience goals Mr Shri Prakash, Distinguished Fellow & Ms Sonal Singh, Research Associate, Transport & Urban Governance Division, TERI.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has been entrusted by The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) to conduct the study titled, "Comparative Assessment of Vehicular Fuels in India's Energy Transition: A Multi-Dimensional Approach".
As countries struggle to meet NDC commitments amid rising global temperatures, the transport sector is key writes, Mr Sharif Qamar, Fellow & Associate Director, Transport and Urban Governance Division, TERI.
In Delhi, vehicular emissions are a major source of local pollution. According to emission inventory studies conducted by IIT-Kanpur in 2015, TERI-ARAI in 2018, and System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research in 2018, the transport sector's contribution to the city's PM2.5 was 20%, 39%, and 41%, respectively.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI), has announced the expansion of its Future-In-Charge (FIC) skilling programme to Pune, Bengaluru and Kolkata, marking a significant step in strengthening India’s electric vehicle (EV) charging workforce.
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI), announced the expansion of its Future-In-Charge (FIC) skilling programme—India’s first National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET)-approved curriculum dedicated to EV charging infrastructure operations and maintenance.
India’s freight transport demand is witnessing a significant rise, projected to increase from 2,682 billion tonne-kilometres (BTKM) in 2019-20 to 7,260 BTKM by 2030-31, with road freight expected to account for approximately 85 per cent of the total movement. Continued reliance on road transport, coupled with the sector’s dependence on fossil fuels, poses critical challenges for India’s long-term energy security and climate mitigation goals.
Freight transport is the backbone of India’s economy, but it is also one of the most emissions-intensive parts of the transport system. Despite accounting for a small share of the vehicle fleet, road freight contributes disproportionately to greenhouse gas and air-pollution emissions. As freight demand continues to grow, the absence of credible, standardised emissions measurement risks locking in high emissions for decades.
The transport sector is India’s third-largest emitter, accounting for approximately 12 per cent of energy-related CO₂ emissions, with road transport contributing over 90 per cent of total transport emissions. Passenger vehicles (PVs) are growing rapidly in India. Even though car ownership in India (cars per 1,000 population) remains low (~35) compared to Japan (496), China (195), the USA (588), and Germany (582), absolute vehicle numbers are rising quickly due to population growth and rising incomes.
Globally, road vehicles contribute 20 per cent of CO2 emissions; yet trucks, which account for less than 1 per cent of the total vehicle fleet, contribute approximately 35% of those emissions. In India, the situation is similar: while making up only 3 per cent of road vehicles, commercial trucks are responsible for 34 per cent of the road transport sector's CO2 emissions. Though this segment is carbon-intensive, it remains essential for the country’s economic development.
As India advances toward its Net-Zero 2070 commitment and the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the electrification of transport has emerged as a critical pillar of sustainable development. The Indian automotive industry is currently undergoing a profound transformation driven by Industry 4.0 (4IR). This transition from Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) to Electric Vehicles (EVs) necessitates the digitization of end-to-end processes, fundamentally impacting the entire value chain—from component manufacturing to the finished vehicle.
This position paper seeks to build foundational awareness and understanding of electric vehicles (EVs), with an emphasis on accelerating their adoption in India. The analysis focuses on the private vehicle segment, as highlighted in a study by TERI, that projects a substantial rise in personal vehicle ownership, making it a critical area for electrification.
