EVs in India: A Scam Sold as a Dream?
EVs in India: A Green Dream or a Trap for the Common Man?
The government, media, and auto companies are hyping up electric vehicles (EVs) as the future—clean air, less fuel cost, and a modern India. But behind the glossy ads and promises, the truth is darker. EVs may look like progress, but for the average Indian, they could turn into a nightmare.
Here’s why the EV dream could actually end up hurting the common man while filling the pockets of big businesses.
🔌 Who’s Winning With EVs? Not You
EVs are sold as “good for the planet” and “good for your wallet.” But look deeper:
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Big car companies like Tata and Mahindra are making profits.
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Battery makers and charging station firms are cashing in.
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Mining giants supplying lithium are minting money.
And who pays the price? You—the middle-class Indian—already crushed by rising prices and job struggles.
🚗 Broken Roads: Why India Isn’t Ready for EVs
India’s infrastructure is not built for an EV revolution:
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Where do you charge? Only ~12,000 public charging stations exist in 2025, compared to more than 140,000 in China. Most are in cities; rural India is ignored.
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Power cut India: Our electricity grid is unreliable and still runs 70% on coal. Adding EVs will only strain it more.
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Too costly: A Tata Nexon EV costs ₹14-18 lakh, while the petrol version is only ₹8-12 lakh. For a family earning ₹25,000-50,000 per month, this gap is massive.
Reality check: Even rich countries like the US and Europe struggle with EV infrastructure. How will India, with weaker roads, power, and income, manage it?
⚙️ Fewer Parts, Fewer Jobs: The EV Job Threat
EVs need fewer parts than petrol vehicles. That means:
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Millions of auto workers risk losing their jobs.
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Local mechanics, who service millions of bikes and cars, may become jobless.
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Battery plants will be dominated by billion-dollar giants like Reliance or Adani, not small businesses.
In short, more profits for the rich, less work for the common man.
💸 EVs Are Luxury Toys, Not Mass Solutions
India’s per capita income is just ₹2.4 lakh a year—about $2,900. Compare that to Norway ($80,000), where EVs work.
For most Indian families struggling with inflation and rising food prices, a ₹7-10 lakh EV scooter or car is an impossible dream. Subsidies only help the rich buy expensive cars, while the poor lose funds in health, education, and public services.
🌍 Global Warnings India Must Not Ignore
Other countries are facing big EV problems already:
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Battery costs rising: Lithium prices once shot up 400%. India imports batteries, so your EV will never be “cheap.”
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Battery waste: Recycling EV batteries is expensive and polluting. Imagine the mess in India, where 70% waste is already mismanaged.
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Slowing sales: In the US, people are losing interest in EVs due to high cost and charging hassles. In India, these issues will be even worse.
🏦 Who Gets Rich in the EV Boom?
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Car companies like Tata, Mahindra, and global giants.
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Battery makers at home and abroad.
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Charging station startups charging premium rates.
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Mining companies abroad selling us lithium and cobalt.
They profit → you pay.
⚠️ Why EVs Could Fail in India
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Lack of charging stations.
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High upfront cost.
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Power grid can’t handle it.
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Jobs at risk.
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Poor economy can’t support it.
For the average Indian, this “green revolution” looks like a costly mistake.
✅ The Real Road Ahead
Instead of forcing EVs, India needs:
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Affordable electric buses & trains (helps everyone, not just the rich).
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Power grid upgrades & renewable energy first.
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Job retraining programs for workers moving from petrol to electric.
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Less business hype, more people-centric planning.
Final Wake-Up Call: Don’t Get Fooled by the EV Hype
EVs may look shiny and modern, but without fixing India’s infrastructure, economy, and job market, they will only serve the rich while hurting the common man.
👉 Before buying the hype, ask: Who’s really benefiting—me, or big business?
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