The Hidden Carbon Debt: Rethinking Electric Vehicles in India’s Coal-Powered Future

Electric vehicles (EVs) are often positioned as a cornerstone of sustainable mobility, promising to combat climate change by reducing emissions from transportation. However, in nations like India, where coal powers over 70% of the electricity grid, the actual environmental impact of EVs remains underexplored. This paper presents a comprehensive lifecycle assessment (LCA) of EVs in India, examining their carbon footprint from the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries to the operation and disposal phases. The findings challenge the perception that EVs are inherently eco-friendly, revealing that their lifecycle emissions are significantly impacted by the carbon intensity of India’s coal-dependent energy infrastructure. Battery production alone contributes to a substantial share of an EV’s emissions, and with India’s limited battery recycling infrastructure, the end-of-life phase adds further environmental strain. When factoring in these realities, EVs in India may deliver only marginal greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions compared to internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) —and in some cases, their emissions may even be higher. To unlock the true potential of EVs, this study emphasizes the urgent need for India to decarbonize its energy grid and implement robust battery recycling policies . By unveiling the hidden carbon costs of EVs in coal-powered regions, this paper calls for a more balanced, data-driven approach to sustainable transportation .