India will be No. 1 EV maker in world: Nitin Gadkari

22 April 201: Union minister Nitin Gadkari expressed confidence that lithium-ion batteries would be manufactured fully in the country in the next six months and India will become number one electric vehicle maker in the world in due course of time.

Addressing the Amazon’s Smbhav Summit virtually, Gadkari further said that the government wants to encourage automakers to introduce flex-fuel engines in India and he is in the final discussion with manufacturers. Gadkari, who also holds the MSME portfolio, said indigenous battery technology will make EV the most effective means of transport.

“India has got tremendous capability for making green power. Within six months, I am confident that we will be in position to make 100% lithium-ion battery in India, there is no shortage of lithium,” he asserted.

The Union minister also pointed out that in the next two years, the cost of electric vehicles will come down and will be as competitive as petrol and diesel vehicles. He emphasised that the quality of EV manufactured in India should be of international standard.

Gadkari said he wants to make Indian automobile industry the number one manufacturing hub in the world. “For that purpose we are now encouraging ethanol, methanol, bio-CNG, electric and hydrogen fuel cell,” he said.