The ongoing West Asia crisis is an important warning on India’s energy dashboard. India imports over 87% of its crude oil requirements, and more than a fifth originates from or transits through this region. India must view petroleum as a strategic liability and use the current crisis to transition to a self-reliant future, with the electrification of transport as the single-most decisive action.

India is the world’s third-largest automobile market. But the sector stands at a pivotal inflection point. A global technological transformation is rapidly shifting the auto industry away from internal combustion engines (ICE) toward electrification. And this transition is accelerating faster than many expected.

What is needed now is a decisive vision, backed by policy precision. The West Asian crisis must provide that impetus. Five decisive actions are required.

Mandate 100% electrification of two- and three-wheelers by 2030: India must set a clear-cut target for phasing out ICE vehicles. Two- and three-wheelers are the right segments to achieve 100% electrification of new sales by 2030. The UK and the EU have moved toward a 2035 target. Several Asian countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, and Taiwan, have already established ICE phase-out timelines. India cannot afford a gradual approach.

A clear timeline for ICE phase-out will provide certainty to industry, enabling investments in domestic manufacturing and supply chains. It will create a market, unlock private capital, accelerate cost reductions through scale, and accelerate EV adoption.

Finalise CAFE-3 now:........

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