Beyond compliance, India’s road to cleaner mobility

The article critically examines India's proposed Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) III norms, questioning whether they truly foster a transition to cleaner mobility or merely offer compliance flexibility. It compares India's approach with more stringent policies in the US and China, highlighting concerns about mechanisms like the Carbon Neutrality Factor, super credits for hybrids, and credit trading, which might dilute the norms' effectiveness. The author argues that robust fuel efficiency standards are vital not just for environmental goals but also for India's energy security, industrial policy, and macroeconomic stability, especially given its dependence on crude oil imports and commitments like the Glasgow pledge.