Source: IEA, IIASA, Ember analysis • This is a ternary chart showing the relative contribution of three aggregated energy carriers – fossil, bio & other, and electrons – that sum to total final energy. 'Bio & other' refers to biomass and other energy such as heat
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Firstpost22-01-2026, 20:16

India's Green Leap: Faster Electrification, Lower Fossil Fuel Use Than China

  • India is electrifying its economy faster than China did at a similar stage of development, while using significantly less fossil fuel per person.
  • Research by Ember indicates India's per-capita coal and oil consumption is a fraction of China's at comparable development levels, challenging the traditional fossil-fuel-dependent growth narrative.
  • The country benefits from dramatically cheaper solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles, technologies that were more expensive during China's initial electrification.
  • Electric vehicles already account for 5% of new car sales in India, with per-capita oil consumption for road transport significantly lower than China's at a similar milestone.
  • India's shift towards an 'electrostate' model, driven by economic sense and energy independence, aims to reduce its substantial fossil-fuel import bill, despite a strategic vulnerability due to China's dominance in green technology manufacturing.

Why It Matters: India is achieving rapid electrification with lower fossil fuel dependence than China, driven by economic benefits.

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