Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Friday, 17 October 2025

Incentivizing A Greener Drive

Incentivizing A Greener Drive

The Right Incentive for the Right Choice

I’ve been observing the recent proposals from Nitin Gadkari, our Union Road Transport Minister, with great interest. His suggestion that automobile manufacturers offer an additional 4-5% discount to customers with a vehicle scrappage certificate is not just a policy tweak; it’s a masterstroke in aligning economic incentives with environmental imperatives.

At a time when the auto industry faces challenges, this move serves a dual purpose: it stimulates demand by making new vehicles more affordable and, more importantly, it accelerates the removal of older, more polluting cars from our roads. It’s a pragmatic solution that benefits the economy, the environment, and the consumer—a true win-win-win scenario.

A Familiar Echo

This development brings to mind a question I pondered some time ago in my blog, How Green Is Your Car?. The core idea I wanted to convey back then was the significance of making informed, environmentally conscious choices. Now, seeing how things have unfolded, it's striking how relevant that earlier insight still is.

Mr. Gadkari’s policy is a practical manifestation of that very principle. He is creating a system where the sustainable choice becomes the financially sensible choice. Reflecting on it today, I feel a sense of validation. The challenge I had seen was how to motivate change on a mass scale, and he has proposed a tangible solution. It’s a powerful nudge, using the language of economics to drive ecological responsibility.

A Call for Partnership

The success of this vision, however, hinges on collaboration. Nitin Gadkari is not issuing a mandate but extending an invitation to the auto industry to become partners in progress. This is a call for a strategic alliance between the government and corporations for the greater good. By embracing this proposal, automakers would not just be offering a discount; they would be investing in a sustainable future, fostering a circular economy, and building immense goodwill.

I urge the leaders of our automotive industry to see this as more than a financial concession. It is an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to a cleaner India and to lead the charge towards a greener, more responsible model of consumption.


Regards,
Hemen Parekh


Of course, if you wish, you can debate this topic with my Virtual Avatar at : hemenparekh.ai

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