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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.
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.
TERI's survey on consumer perception of electric vehicles (EVs) revealed that issues like upfront cost, battery replacement, and range anxiety are topmost concerns for people considering buying an EV.
India’s updated NDC targets a 45% reduction in GHG emissions intensity by 2030, compared with 2005 levels. India’s transport sector is the third largest contributor to total emissions in the country, contributing around 12% of total GHG emissions. With the rapidly increasing population, urbanization, and development of industry and tertiary sector, the country’s transport demand is rising exponentially.
The World Urban Forum (WUF) is a premier global conference convened by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) to exchange ideas and experiences on sustainable urbanization. The twelfth session of WUF is being held this year in Cairo, Egypt from November 04 – 08, 2024.
7-9 February 2024 | New Delhi
TERI Energy & Environment Data Diary and Yearbook (TEDDY) is an annual publication brought out by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) since 1986. TEDDY presents latest information on energy supply sectors (coal and lignite, petroleum and natural gas, power and renewable energy sources), energy demand sectors (agriculture, industry, transport, residential, and commercial sectors), and environment (local and global). It seeks to support policy research and decision-making by providing policymakers and researchers with the data which can be used to develop actionable solutions.
TERI, in collaboration with Department of Posts, Government of India as a technical partner, and Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation as a knowledge partner, is preparing a roadmap to electrify the existing Mail Motor Service (MMS) fleet.
Mr Sharif Qamar, Associate Director at TERI, highlights that TERI's research, which informed the Railways' Rail Green Points initiative, shows rail is four times more energy-efficient than road transport—even with today’s coal-heavy energy mix. A modest1% improvement in efficiency at sources like thermal power plants can lead to significant savings by reducing coal use and improving the grid’s emission factor.
Sustainable transportation is a key aspect of reducing global carbon emissions to stem the climate crisis. The avoid, shift, improve, and fuel (ASIF) framework outlines a comprehensive approach to creating more sustainable transport systems. While much attention is given to alternative fuel technologies, particularly electric vehicles (EVs), the efficiency improvement strategy remains one of the least discussed but highly effective levers of sustainable transportation. This strategy, however, often gets overshadowed by the excitement surrounding new fuel technologies.
While experts lauded the thinking of the government, they said implementing such a plan will have several practical challenges, including the methodology to be adopted, the pricing of such credits and the lack of potential buyers. Mr I. V. Rao, Distinguished Fellow, Transport and Urban Governance Division, The Energy and Resources Institute said that the proposed carbon credits policy for EV buyers could act as a boost if seen together other incentives in the scheme.
With transportation responsible for roughly one-third of Co2 emissions in urban settings, the importance of exploring alternative transport options cannot be overstated. EVs have emerged as a viable solution, providing not only a reduction in emissions but also an improvement in air quality, which can help reduce pollution in cities, says Ms Anushree Harde, Research Associate, Transport and Urban Governance Division, TERI.
A TERI study reveals that transitioning to electric vehicles in 44 Indian cities by 2035 could drastically cut pollution. It projects a daily reduction of 11.5 tonnes of PM2.5 emissions and a significant decrease in greenhouse gases. The shift could also save billions on oil imports and generate numerous jobs in the EV and renewable energy sectors.
By leveraging abundant solar resources, the global south regions can power electric vehicles with clean, locally sourced energy, reducing dependency on fossil fuels and mitigating energy import costs says Ms Harshita Kaur, Research Associate, Transport & Urban Governance Division, TERI.
India’s dependency on imported fossil fuels is mounting incessantly. The petroleum products consumption in the country has increased about 38.2% from the past decade, resulting in a substantial expenditure on oil imports.
Biodiesel is one of the alternative fuels that can be produced from non-edible sources, waste oils, animal fats, etc. India’s government is emphasizing energy security with a target of reducing the usage of fossil fuels and import burdens.
Surge in demand for mobility and the consequent consumption of fossil fuels for powering transport vehicles is massive and is increasing rapidly with time. However, with geopolitical tensions, shrinking crude oil reserves, and negative impacts of vehicular emissions on global and local pollution has influenced scientific community to explore alternative and sustainable fuels for the transport sector.
India’s rapid urbanization and economic growth has accelerated both passenger and freight transport demands, which have led to the need for prioritizing adoption of low carbon technologies, also strengthening the country’s energy security.
India’s dependency on imported fossil fuels is mounting incessantly. The petroleum products consumption in the country has increased about 38.2% from the past decade, resulting in a substantial expenditure on oil imports.
India has the 2nd largest road network in the world. Amongst the different types of roads, the National Highways extending to 1,44,634 km has contributed significantly to India’s rapid economic development. The rapid pace of construction of highways is enabling integration of the local economies of far flung towns and villages into the national economy.
