Energy used by transport systems in India: the role of the urban population, sources, alternative modes and quantitative analyses

The purpose of this work is to at first give a general overview of the state-of-the-art transportation system in India, outlining the related energy consumption for different modes of transport; trains, light trucks, heavy trucks, buses, three wheelers, two wheelers, cars and jeeps, with their consequent estimated emissions. These elements are essential for the preparation of high-level strategic transport planning for the issue of energy as a whole, to help India make the right choices for the most suitable transportation systems. A relevant consideration at the base of this work is the high urbanization and motorization level in Indian metropolises in the last years. In order to provide an appropriate analysis on energy consumption, that is fully satisfactory from a methodological viewpoint and related to all transport systems, the well-to-wheel WTW index was adopted, taking into account that, especially in the urban context, that shorter journeys would easily be addressed by electric traction, while this is not taken for granted at all, according to the overall energy chain consumption and specific considerations on energy available in India when compared to Europe, which are included. Pursuing a WTW global index for India, that takes into account both the energy and environmental aspects on a uniform basis, is an important aim. It allows the best choices to be made as well as enabling the comparison between some of the most important means of transport, powertrain and fuel options on the Indian market, mainly the urban one.