When Green Turns Grey: Ola Electric and the Sustainability Mirage of EVs - Unmasking the paradox of clean mobility and its hidden toll

This case study explores the rise of Ola Electric Mobility Pvt. Ltd. as a leading force in India’s electric vehicle (EV) transition. With major investments like a 20 GWh lithium-ion cell Gigafactory under the PLI scheme, Ola reflects the national push to reduce oil dependence and advance sustainable mobility. While EVs offer lower lifecycle emissions and new economic opportunities, the case highlights tensions related to battery materials, manufacturing impacts, safety issues, and end-of-life management. By examining Ola’s growth, this study evaluates whether India’s EV movement represents truly sustainable progress or a reconfigured model of resource-intensive industrialisation.