IIT Madras study confirms electric vehicles as vital for deep decarbonization

In an India-specific study, researchers at the Centre for Excellence in Energy and Telecommunications (CEET), IIT Madras, and Immersive Technology and Entrepreneurship Labs (ITEL) have demonstrated that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) significantly outperform petrol-powered internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) in reducing greenhouse gas emissions over their full lifecycle, even under India’s current grid conditions.

The study comes at a critical time for India — per a recent analysis, our biggest cities have endured a decade of unhealthy to hazardous air, with none meeting safe AQI standards between 2015 and November 2025.

Titled “The March Towards Zero-Emission Transport: To Preserve Life on Earth by Eliminating Fossil Fuels and GHG Emissions,” the study was led by Dr. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Founder, IITM Research Park and IITM Incubation Cell and a pioneer who has spearheaded efforts to drive EV adoption in India.

Dr Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Chairman, ITEL, said, “This analysis settles that debate with rigorous, India-specific data — BEVs are not just marginally better, they are decisively superior to petrol vehicles in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, even with our current electricity mix. Further, the report emphasizes that the transition to EVs must go hand-in-hand with moving electricity generation to renewables and complete recycling of all subsystems of a vehicle, including battery.”

Unlike previous static analyses, this study employs a dynamic model that accounts for evolving scenarios of increasing renewable energy integration and enhanced recycling rates, examining the entire lifecycle from raw material extraction through manufacturing, operation, and end-of-life disposal over a standardized 300,000-kilometer lifespan.

Operational Emissions: An ICEV emits 53.84 tons of CO2e over 300,000 km, compared to just 33 tons for a BEV with India’s current 28% renewable grid. With fully renewable electricity, BEV operational emissions drop to a negligible 0.03 tons, making this phase the main driver of ICEV’s environmental impact.

Manufacturing Emissions: Without renewables or recycling, ICEV manufacturing emits 8.66 tons of CO2e, while BEVs emit 9.66 tons. However, with 100% renewable energy and recycling, these figures drop dramatically to 2.89 tons for ICEVs and 2.54 tons for BEVs, giving BEVs a clear advantage.

Energy Efficiency: BEVs convert approximately 90% of electricity into traction energy, compared to less than 25% for petrol engines. This inherent efficiency advantage further reduces overall energy demand and associated emissions.

The report states that the environmental performance of BEVs is set to improve further as advancements in technology and supportive policies continue, whereas ICEVs are fundamentally limited by their carbon-intensive nature.

KEY INSIGHTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The findings highlight a dual-action strategy for OEMs and policymakers: prioritizing grid decarbonization and investing in circular battery ecosystems. Together, these approaches establish BEVs as the most viable solution for phasing out ICEVs and significantly reducing transportation-related GHG emissions.

The report projects that by 2040, advanced recycling could recover up to 95% of key materials and cut manufacturing emissions by 30–40%. In contrast, ICEVs are fundamentally constrained by their carbon-intensive combustion process, with about 80% of their lifecycle emissions occurring during operation and limited potential for efficiency improvements.

Beyond reducing emissions, the shift to EVs is expected to drive a 20–30% increase in renewable electricity generation by 2035, strengthening the case for grid decarbonization. The growing need to manage battery waste is also accelerating innovation in recycling and reuse, fostering a circular economy for critical minerals. These interconnected developments create a positive feedback loop, where progress in one area amplifies gains in others, collectively advancing society toward greater sustainability.

“It is not just adopting BEVs, but also greening of electricity and adopting full recycling, that will enable the earth to deal with global warming,” the report concludes. “Strategic collaboration between the automotive industry and government will be essential to fully realize the climate and economic benefits of electrified transport.”