Nitin Gadkari’s Bold Prediction on EVs
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has made a striking forecast: EVs could cost the same as petrol cars in just 4–6 months. While this may sound ambitious, several economic and policy-driven factors are aligning to make this milestone achievable. If realized, it could mark one of the most significant shifts in India’s automotive sector.
The Pillars Driving EV Price Parity in India
Falling Battery Costs
Globally, the cost of lithium-ion cells is declining as technology advances and production scales up. Since the battery is the single most expensive component of an EV, cheaper cells directly push EV prices closer to petrol-powered counterparts.
Mass Production and Localization
India’s drive toward domestic EV manufacturing and higher production volumes is expected to reduce per-unit costs. Localization cuts import duties, shipping costs, and makes EVs more competitive.
Government Push & Incentives
The government continues to back EV adoption with:
- GST Cuts (lowering the tax slab on EVs).
- FAME-II Incentives, reducing upfront purchase costs.
- Duty Reductions on imported EV components.
Petrol vs EV Cost Comparison in India (2025 Estimates)
Automakers Squeezing Margins
To grab early market share, several automakers are reducing their margins, ensuring EVs reach customers at attractive entry prices.
The Big Questions That Remain
Even if India achieves EV price parity, challenges remain:
- Charging Infrastructure: Can the country keep up with rising demand for charging stations?
- Battery Life & Replacement Costs: How long will batteries last before replacement, and at what cost?
- Resale Value: With rapidly evolving technology, will resale value hold strong?
- Service Network: EV-specific service centers are still limited compared to petrol cars.
A Turning Point for India’s EV Story
If Gadkari’s prediction holds true, the narrative around EVs could shift from “too costly” to “why not?” within months. Affordable pricing, coupled with India’s growing EV ecosystem, may accelerate adoption, reduce fuel dependency, and contribute to India’s clean mobility vision.
The next 4–6 months will be critical — not just for automakers, but for millions of Indian buyers waiting to see if the electric dream truly matches the price of petrol reality.
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