Question map
Consider the following types of vehicles: 1. Full battery electric vehicles 2. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles 3. Fuel cell-electric hybrid vehicles How many of the above are considered as alternative powertrain vehicles?
Explanation
The correct answer is option C - all three types are considered alternative powertrain vehicles.
Electric vehicles and fuel-cells are classified as non-conventional sources of energy[3], which makes them alternative powertrains to conventional internal combustion engines.
1. **Full battery electric vehicles** are clearly alternative powertrains as they run entirely on battery power instead of fossil fuels.
2. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have very high energy conversion efficiency and near-zero pollution, with CO₂ and water vapor being the only emissions[4], making them a clear alternative to conventional vehicles.
3. **Fuel cell-electric hybrid vehicles** combine fuel cell technology with electric systems, representing another form of alternative powertrain technology.
The National Mission for Electric Mobility (NCEM) was established to promote electric mobility and manufacturing of electric vehicles in India[5], reflecting the government's recognition of these technologies as alternatives to conventional fossil fuel-based vehicles. All three vehicle types mentioned represent departures from traditional internal combustion engine technology and are therefore considered alternative powertrain vehicles.
Sources- [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY > p. 27
- [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY > p. 27
- [3] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY > p. 27
- [4] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > Fuel cells for automobile transport > p. 296
- [5] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 26: Institutions and Measures > 26.8 NATIONAT MISSION FOR ELECTRIC MOBILITY > p. 378
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'definition-based' question derived directly from standard Environment and Geography texts. The term 'alternative powertrain' simply refers to anything non-ICE (Internal Combustion Engine). If you read the chapters on Renewable Energy or Pollution Control in Shankar or Majid Husain, this is a free hit. No current affairs wizardry was needed, just basic conceptual clarity.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Are full battery electric vehicles (battery electric vehicles, BEVs) considered alternative powertrain vehicles?
- Statement 2: Are hydrogen fuel cell vehicles considered alternative powertrain vehicles?
- Statement 3: Are fuel cell–electric hybrid vehicles considered alternative powertrain vehicles?
- Explicitly groups electric vehicles under 'alternative fuels' and 'more efficient drive technologies'.
- Links a national mission for electric mobility to a global shift toward alternative drive technologies.
- FAME India scheme promotes adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles as replacements for fossil-fuel vehicles.
- Frames electric/hybrid vehicles as part of a policy-driven phase‑out of conventional internal combustion vehicles.
- Classifies electric vehicles within non-conventional (renewable) energy category.
- Associates EVs with other alternative/renewable energy sources like fuel-cells and hydrogen.
- Directly contrasts fuel-cell-powered vehicles with internal combustion engine vehicles, implying an alternative powertrain class.
- Describes fuel-cell-powered vehicles as electric vehicles with higher efficiency and near-zero emissions, highlighting their role as a non-ICE propulsion option.
- Highlights suitability of fuel-cell buses and EVs to reduce urban air pollution, reinforcing their position as alternative transport technology.
- Explicitly lists fuel-cells and hydrogen energy alongside electric vehicles under non-conventional (renewable) energy sources.
- Places fuel-cells within the category of alternative/renewable energy options used for transport, supporting classification as an alternative powertrain.
- Frames green hydrogen as a roadmap energy source aimed at decarbonising heavy industry and enabling clean electric mobility.
- Supports the view that hydrogen is being developed as an alternative energy carrier for transport applications.
- Directly contrasts fuel-cell-powered vehicles with internal combustion engines, implying an alternative drive technology.
- Describes fuel-cell-powered EVs as a variant of electric vehicles with higher efficiency and near-zero emissions, aligning them with alternative powertrains.
- Mentions a nationwide shift of the automobile industry towards more efficient drive technologies and alternative fuels including electric vehicles.
- Frames policy-level recognition of non-conventional drive technologies as 'alternative' options for mobility.
- Lists fuel-cells and electric vehicles among non-conventional (renewable/alternative) energy categories.
- Places fuel-cell technology within the broader group of non-conventional/alternative energy solutions relevant to transport.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Directly solvable from Shankar IAS Environment (Chapter 22 & 26) or Majid Husain Geography (Chapter 8). If you know what an ICE engine is, you know these three are the alternatives.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Green Mobility & Energy Transition. The syllabus explicitly mentions 'Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.' The shift from fossil fuels to electric/hydrogen is the core theme of modern transport policy (FAME, National Green Hydrogen Mission).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Don't just stop at 'EVs.' Memorize the specific types: BEV (Battery Electric), HEV (Hybrid Electric - uses gas + battery), PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid), FCEV (Fuel Cell - uses Hydrogen). Also, know the colors of hydrogen (Green, Blue, Grey, Turquoise) and the difference between Lithium-ion vs Solid-state batteries.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When reading about 'National Missions' (like FAME or Green Hydrogen), ask: 'What technology is this replacing?' and 'What are the technical variants?' UPSC loves classifying technologies. If a policy promotes it to reduce pollution, it is an 'alternative.'
Electric vehicles are presented as alternatives to internal combustion engines and are grouped under alternative fuels and drive technologies.
High-yield for questions on transport decarbonisation, energy transition and technology shifts; links policy, environment and industrial strategy. Mastering this helps answer questions on cleaner mobility options and comparative advantages of powertrains.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 26: Institutions and Measures > 26.8 NATIONAT MISSION FOR ELECTRIC MOBILITY > p. 378
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 23: India and Climate Change > 23.18. FAME.INDIA PROGRAMME > p. 317
FAME scheme explicitly targets faster adoption and manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicles through subsidies.
Essential for scheme-based questions in prelims/mains on incentives for clean technology adoption; connects to industrial policy, subsidy design, and emission reduction targets. Enables analysis of policy effectiveness and implementation challenges.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 23: India and Climate Change > 23.18. FAME.INDIA PROGRAMME > p. 317
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 26: Institutions and Measures > 26.8 NATIONAT MISSION FOR ELECTRIC MOBILITY > p. 378
Electric vehicles and fuel-cells are listed alongside renewable/non-conventional energy sources.
Useful for questions linking energy resources with transport and air quality policy; helps integrate topics across geography, environment and technology segments. Supports comparative discussion on energy sources and mobility solutions.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY > p. 27
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > Fuel cells for automobile transport > p. 296
Fuel-cell-powered vehicles are presented as distinct from internal combustion engine vehicles and as electric propulsion options with high efficiency and low emissions.
High-yield for questions on transport decarbonisation and powertrain classifications; links technical differences (ICE vs fuel-cell EV) to policy aims like urban air quality and fleet transitions. Useful for framing answers on alternative mobility pathways and comparative advantages.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > Fuel cells for automobile transport > p. 296
Green hydrogen is described as a promising alternative energy carrier intended to decarbonise industries and enable clean electric mobility.
Important for answering questions on national missions, energy transition strategies, and how new fuels support transport decarbonisation. Connects climate policy, industrial strategy, and transport electrification debates.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > zl.tal. National Green Hydrogen Mission > p. 297
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 21: Sustainable Development and Climate Change > National Hydrogen Energy Mission (NHM) - announced in Union Budget 2021-22 > p. 605
Fuel-cells and hydrogen energy are explicitly listed under non-conventional/renewable energy alongside electric vehicles.
Useful for classifying energy sources in questions on renewables and alternative fuels; helps map technologies (fuel-cells, EVs, hydrogen) to policy instruments and incentives.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY > p. 27
Fuel-cell-powered vehicles are described as distinct from internal combustion and as electric vehicle variants with high efficiency and low emissions.
High-yield for UPSC because questions ask about low-emission transport technologies and comparisons between ICE and alternative drive systems. Connects to topics on sustainable transport, energy transition, and air quality policy; enables answers on technology benefits and policy rationale.
- Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > Fuel cells for automobile transport > p. 296
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 8: Energy Resources > NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY > p. 27
Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs). Since the question covered EVs and Hydrogen, the next logical sibling is FFVs (engines running on flexible blends of petrol and ethanol/methanol). Also, look out for H-CNG (Hydrogen-enriched CNG) which is often mentioned in the same chapters.
The 'Definition of Alternative' Logic. In automobiles, the 'standard' is the Internal Combustion Engine (Petrol/Diesel). Therefore, ANY technology that uses a different propulsion method (Battery, Hydrogen, or a Hybrid) is by definition 'alternative.' Since all three options are distinct from a pure petrol/diesel engine, the answer must logically be 'All the three.'
Critical Minerals Supply Chain (IR/Economy). Shifting to alternative powertrains moves dependence from West Asian oil (OPEC) to Lithium/Cobalt/Nickel (China/Latin America/Australia). This links to Mains GS2 (IR) and GS3 (Energy Security). Mentioning 'Mineral Security Partnership' (MSP) adds depth.