In a major push towards sustainable mobility, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced that electric vehicles in India could soon cost the same as petrol cars. Speaking at an industry conference on Monday, the minister said that price parity between electric and conventional vehicles is expected within the next four to six months.
Gadkari pointed out that India’s annual fuel import bill of ₹22 lakh crore poses both economic and environmental challenges, urging faster adoption of green transport options. He also expressed confidence that India’s automobile industry, which has grown from ₹14 lakh crore to ₹22 lakh crore during his tenure, will become the largest in the world within five years.
Highlighting the contribution of farmers to India’s energy transition, Gadkari noted how biofuel projects are transforming rural economies. He further announced the launch of India’s first “hydrogen highways,” with a budget of ₹500 crore allocated for trials involving 37 vehicles across ten routes and the installation of nine hydrogen refuelling stations.
The minister stressed that reducing dependence on imported crude oil, currently meeting 87% of India’s energy needs, remains a key national priority as the country accelerates towards a cleaner and self-reliant transport future.
