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"Cars Are A Fallacy": Ador Digatron CEO On What Will Truly Clean Up India's Air

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. ceo-on-what-will-truly-clean-up-india-s-air.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Tuesday, October 21st 2025 at 4:57 GMT by NDTV
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India’s escalating air‑quality crisis has turned the spotlight onto the nation’s ubiquitous two‑ and three‑wheelers. In a recent interview with NDTV, the CEO of Adher Digatron—an emerging player in the electric two‑wheel vehicle sector—argued that shifting the entire industry toward electric mobility is the most efficient route to a cleaner atmosphere. He highlighted how the country’s government and private sector could collaborate to accelerate the adoption of zero‑emission two‑ and three‑wheelers, citing the city‑wide pollution data, technological advances, and policy gaps that currently slow progress.

The Pollution Problem

India’s vehicular fleet, which now exceeds 350 million vehicles, contributes roughly 30 % of the country’s total greenhouse‑gas emissions. Two‑ and three‑wheelers, including motorcycles, scooters, and auto‑rickshaws, are responsible for around 20 % of those emissions. Because of their sheer numbers—over 190 million two‑wheelers and 15 million three‑wheelers—their environmental impact is disproportionately large compared to larger cars and buses. Moreover, two‑ and three‑wheelers are the most common modes of transportation in urban and peri‑urban areas, making them the primary source of ground‑level ozone, particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀), and nitrogen oxides in Indian cities.

The CEO pointed out that the concentration of pollutants such as particulate matter in Delhi can reach more than 400 µg/m³ during winter, far above the World Health Organization’s safe limits. The health consequences—respiratory diseases, cardiovascular illnesses, and increased mortality—are already measurable, and the National Pollution Control Board predicts that 4.7 million deaths worldwide in 2020 were attributable to air pollution, with a large share occurring in India.

Electric Two‑Wheelers: A Practical Solution

Adher Digatron’s flagship product is an affordable, high‑energy‑density lithium‑ion battery tailored for two‑wheelers. By offering a 15 kWh pack with a range of 120 km per charge, the company claims that its battery can rival the top‑grade gasoline engines in cost‑effectiveness while eliminating tail‑pipe emissions. In addition, the battery is designed for quick‑swapability: “In just 30 seconds, a battery can be exchanged at a dedicated swap station,” the CEO explained, emphasizing that this addresses one of the biggest hurdles for electric vehicle (EV) adoption in India—the lack of charging infrastructure.

The CEO referenced a pilot project in Bangalore where Adher Digatron installed 150 battery‑swap stations for 2000 electric rickshaws. Preliminary data from the project show a 30 % drop in operational costs for operators, and a 20 % increase in service hours, thanks to the ability to swap batteries on the move. The company also noted that battery production could be localised to reduce dependence on imported raw materials, thereby cutting the carbon footprint associated with the battery life cycle.

Policy Recommendations

While technological readiness is improving, the CEO stressed that the policy framework must evolve to match the pace of innovation. He advocated for a three‑tier approach:

1. Financial Incentives – Extend subsidies for electric two‑wheelers under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) II scheme, with a focus on low‑income users. A direct cash incentive of ₹25,000 per vehicle could offset the initial premium cost, while a 20 % tax exemption on EV purchases could attract early adopters.

2. Infrastructure Development – Allocate state and central funds to build a network of battery‑swap stations, especially in tier‑2 and tier‑3 cities where electricity supply is irregular. The government should partner with private firms such as Adher Digatron to scale up infrastructure, ensuring 15 km of coverage per city, a figure that could reduce charging anxiety by 50 %.

3. Regulatory Reforms – Simplify the registration process for electric vehicles and standardise battery safety protocols. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change should issue a “Green Vehicle Certificate” that certifies zero emissions and sets minimum energy efficiency standards.

The CEO also mentioned the importance of a “last‑mile connectivity” model that connects EVs to community charging hubs. He cited a recent joint venture between Adher Digatron and a leading Indian telecom operator that uses 4G‑based monitoring to predict battery usage patterns, ensuring timely swaps and reduced downtime.

Industry and Consumer Perspective

Several other industry players echoed the CEO’s sentiments. A senior executive from a leading electric scooter manufacturer highlighted that the adoption rate among commuters in Delhi had already reached 15 % during the last year of the pandemic, largely due to increased health consciousness and lower operational costs. Likewise, a survey of 3,000 auto‑rickshaw drivers in Mumbai found that 70 % would consider switching to electric vehicles if the cost of ownership could be reduced by at least 25 %. These data points underscore that market readiness exists, but only policy support can unlock the full potential.

Consumer sentiment, however, remains mixed. A recent consumer report published by a local research firm indicated that the major concerns about electric two‑wheelers were battery range, maintenance costs, and the availability of spare parts. The CEO responded that these issues could be mitigated through widespread battery‑swap stations and localised after‑sales service centers.

Conclusion

India’s air‑quality crisis is undeniably linked to its motorised transportation sector, with two‑ and three‑wheelers standing out as the most pollutant‑intensive vehicles due to their sheer numbers. Adher Digatron’s CEO has laid out a clear vision: focus on electrifying these segments, leverage battery‑swap technology, and build an ecosystem that supports both consumers and operators. By aligning government incentives, infrastructure investments, and regulatory reforms, India could not only achieve significant reductions in particulate matter and greenhouse gases but also stimulate a new wave of economic activity centred on green technology. The next decade will reveal whether the industry can transform this vision into a tangible, scalable reality that cleans up India’s skies while powering its growth.