The conflict in West Asia delivers a stark reminder: Dependence on foreign energy is a strategic vulnerability. Many nations are responding by accelerating their transition to renewable energy and electric mobility. Electric vehicle (EV) adoption is a strategic, economic, and geopolitical imperative.

But India’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is sending dangerously confused signals.

On the one side, we see bold and visionary leadership. Delhi’s newly-released EV policy, which will phase out internal combustion engine (ICE) two- and three-wheelers starting next year, reflects the urgency and clarity of purpose required to drive real structural change.

On the other side, we see hesitation. BEE’s latest draft Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards are a drag on India’s ambitions for global leadership and economic security. BEE has hit the brakes at precisely the moment India needs to accelerate. The bureau’s weak efforts are contradictory to the national goals of moving towards cleaner forms of energy and can be detrimental.

The visible regression in CAFE ambition is indefensible. The 2024 draft targeted 14-15% EV sales. The 2025 version diluted this to 11-12%. The 2026 draft reduces it to a feeble 8-9% by 2032. As the rest of the world advances towards electrification of vehicles to meet national security and energy independence goals, India’s pivotal regulator seems to have retreated.

The global comparison is unforgiving — and unforgivable. Nepal has already achieved 75% electric car sales. Singapore and Vietnam have crossed 40%.........

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