Policy Brief
From Fuel Economy to Clean Air: Strengthening Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) Norms for Passenger Vehicles in India
27 Jan 2026
| Piyush Saxena
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.
Policy Brief: Roadmap for Zero Emission Truck (ZET) Skilling in India
05 Jan 2026
| Megha Chauhan
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. India is also the world's third-largest automotive manufacturer, contributing 7.1 per cent to annual GDP and providing direct and indirect employment to approximately 1.9 crore people (MHI, 2023).
Skilling for an EV-Ready India A Roadmap for 2047
05 Jan 2026
| Mr Sharif Qamar
| Megha Chauhan
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.
Let’s Electrify- Accelerating Electric Vehicle Adoption and Awareness in India
09 Sep 2025
| Faiz Jamal
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.
EV Charging in India: Ecosystem Perspectives and Skilling Opportunities
03 Sep 2025
Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) today unveiled a landmark whitepaper on skilling for EV charging infrastructure at Mercedes-Benz Sustainability Dialogue India 2025. The whitepaper highlights the critical role of charge point operators (CPOs)–the backbone of EV charging infrastructure–in driving India’s transition to electric mobility. It identifies limited hands-on training opportunities, the absence of standardized training modules for CPOs, and a shortage of qualified trainers with expertise in both technical and operational aspects of EV charging infrastructure as the top barriers to building this workforce.
Accelerating Biodiesel Blending in India
18 Sep 2024
| Faiz Jamal
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.Several initiatives have been introduced to increase indigenous production of biofuels, as part of the Indian government’s aggressive plan of 20% ethanol in petrol by 2025–26 and 5% biodiesel in diesel by 2030.
Assessment of Bio-CNG as a Vehicular Fuel in India
13 Feb 2024
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.
Fuel Efficiency Improvement and Emission Standards in Road Transport
18 Aug 2023
| Piyush Saxena
| Ruchika Mattoo
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.
Accelerating Biodiesel Blending in India
18 Aug 2023
| Faiz Jamal
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.