Topics:

1. Recalibrating India’s clean cooking strategy
2. The hybrid EV imperative

RECALIBRATING INDIA’S CLEAN – COOKING STRATEGY

Introduction:

• The article discusses the Government of India’s efforts to promote the adoption of clean cooking solutions in poorer and rural households.
• While Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) has been successfully adopted in urban households, recent challenges and a reduction in LPG consumption in Indian households raise questions about the long-term sustainability of subsidizing LPG and explore alternative options.
• The article proposes a shift towards a suite of clean-cooking technologies, including electric cooking, to reduce LPG dependence, enhance energy access, and mitigate climate pollution.

The LPG Story:

• The initial success of LPG adoption in Indian households is evident from the rise in its usage from 33% in 2011 to 71% in 2020, as indicated by the India Residential Energy Consumption Survey.

• This shift indicated a willingness among Indian households to adopt cleaner cooking solutions.

• However, global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have impacted the economic situation, leading to a reduction in LPG consumption.

• The withdrawal of LPG subsidies for all consumers in 2020 and the subsequent provision of free cylinders to PMUY consumers in FY21 influenced refill rates.

• Despite these efforts, distribution channel issues persist, requiring more budgetary outlay for subsidies to incentivize the poor to consume LPG.

Challenges with LPG Subsidies:

1. The dependence on imported LPG has increased to over 64%, which raises concerns about volatility in international prices and budgetary constraints on petroleum taxation.
2. Returning to a regime of heavy LPG subsidies seems unlikely due to economic pressures.
3. Additionally, despite efforts, a significant portion of PMUY consumers are opting for fewer refills, indicating the need for sustained efforts to improve LPG consumption and health benefits.

The Need for Diversity in Clean Cooking:

• To overcome the impasse, the article suggests pivoting towards a diverse range of clean-cooking technologies and shifting away from an LPG-only strategy.
• One such alternative is electric cooking, including induction cooktops.
• With near-universal access to electricity in rural households, e-cooking can be a cost-effective option compared to LPG, even at higher electricity tariffs.
• However, concerns about the rural power distribution grid’s capacity to support all-electric cooking need to be addressed.

Nudging the Transition to E-Cooking:

• To facilitate the shift to e-cooking, the article proposes a gradual increase in LPG prices beyond a certain threshold.
• This approach would displace LPG usage among higher-use groups, creating a demand for e-cooking technologies and encouraging domestic manufacturing.
• Additionally, this transition could be supported by targeted incentives for manufacturers to develop efficient and user-friendly e-cooking devices, such as gas and electric cooktops.

Climate and Financial Incentives:

• Replacing traditional cooking methods with e-cooking not only reduces LPG dependence but also contributes to climate change mitigation by avoiding the release of climate pollutants.
• The article highlights the potential for India to monetize these avoided emissions through the newly launched carbon market.
• The revenue generated can be directed towards financing the adoption of e-cooking technologies by poorer rural communities, making the transition financially viable and environmentally beneficial.

Conclusion:

The need to move beyond solely subsidizing LPG and explores a diverse set of clean-cooking technologies, with a focus on e-cooking has come.

By encouraging the adoption of electric cooking and creating a supportive ecosystem for manufacturers, India can reduce its reliance on imported LPG, mitigate climate pollution, and provide clean cooking solutions to its population.

To achieve these goals, a comprehensive approach that involves targeted financial incentives, supportive policies, and market-driven business models is crucial.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/recalibrating-indias-clean-cooking-strategy/article67143248.ece

The hybrid EV imperative

Introduction

• The article emphasizes the significance of electric vehicles (EVs) in achieving the world’s net-zero emissions target.

• It specifically highlights the potential of hybrid EVs (HEVs) as an important transitional technology for economically developing countries, which face challenges in terms of power generation, grid capacity, and availability of fast charging infrastructure.

Understanding Net Zero for Vehicles

• Net-zero for a vehicle refers to achieving zero net emissions, considering both tailpipe emissions (emissions produced by the vehicle during operation) and emissions from the power plant supplying energy to the vehicle.
• Achieving net-zero status requires reducing emissions from both new and existing vehicles.

Types of Electric Vehicles

Three main types of electric vehicles:

1. Electric Vehicle (EV): Any vehicle using an electric drivetrain and drawing power from a portable electrical energy source is considered an EV.
2. Hybrid EV (HEV): In a hybrid EV, an internal combustion engine (ICE) generates electricity through an electrical generator, and a small battery acts as an energy buffer. The battery cannot be charged from the grid.
3. Plug-in Hybrid EV (PHEV): Similar to HEVs, but with a larger battery that can be charged from the grid. PHEVs can operate in electric mode as long as there is energy in the battery.

Fuel Economy of Hybrid and Fully Electric EVs

• HEVs exhibit higher fuel economy than conventional ICE vehicles, with 1.5-2 times better efficiency for city driving and 1-1.5 times better for highway driving.
• PHEVs combine features of hybrid and fully electric EVs, allowing for 80-90% coverage of short daily commutes in electric mode with 3-4 times higher fuel economy than conventional vehicles.

Net Emissions of Hybrid EVs

• In addition to fuel economy, the net emissions of a vehicle are crucial.
• This includes both tailpipe emissions and emissions due to fuel production.
• A comprehensive index, life-cycle emissions, incorporates well-to-wheel emissions and emissions from vehicle and battery production, maintenance, and recycling.
• The lower the emissions from power production, the lower the well-to-wheel and life-cycle emissions of full EVs.

Comparison of Life-cycle Emissions

• An analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation indicates that switching to full EVs results in 19-34% lower emissions for sedans and 38-49% lower emissions for SUVs, even with a fossil-fuel-dominated energy mix in countries like India.

• By 2030, when renewables play a more significant role in the grid, emissions are expected to be 30-56% lower.

• In an all-renewables grid, the reduction in emissions can be as high as 79%. The same report shows that hybrid EVs have 20-23% lower life-cycle emissions than conventional ICE vehicles in Europe.

Challenges to Transitioning to Electric Mobility

Several challenges hinder a successful transition to full EVs:

1. a. Fast Charging Infrastructure: Fast-charging infrastructure along highways is essential to address range anxiety and encourage full EV adoption.
2. Grid Access and Reliability: Many economically developing nations lack access to a reliable grid, hindering EV charging.
3. c. Vehicle Cost: The mass-market price of cars in economically developing countries is much lower than the price of full EVs with an adequate range.

Role of Hybrid EVs in Decarbonization

• HEVs offer a practical and cost-effective solution to reduce emissions in the short term, especially in regions facing grid reliability and charging infrastructure challenges.
• They provide higher fuel economy, lower emissions, and reduced oil imports.
• Regenerative braking in HEVs enhances fuel efficiency, particularly in urban and hilly conditions.

Conclusion

• Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) play a crucial role in the transition to a net-zero emission world, particularly in economically developing countries facing infrastructure and cost challenges.

• While full EVs remain the ideal long-term solution, HEVs offer a practical and immediate pathway to lower emissions, reduce fuel costs, and contribute to decarbonization efforts.

• The development of fast charging infrastructure, grid access, and renewable energy integration are essential to drive the successful adoption of EVs globally.

Source: The Hindu

The promise of hybrid EVs in cutting short-term carbon emissions – The Hindu

1. What are the main challenges hindering the widespread adoption of electric vehicles in India? What are the potential solutions to address the challenges faced by electric vehicles in India and promote sustainable mobility?

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