Iran is planning to accelerate its shift toward electricity as a major source of energy for transportation and heating purposes in an effort to curb the use of hydrocarbons and contribute to the pressing global agenda on climate change.
According to Hamid Chitchian, the energy minister, Iran needs a long-term scheme to phase out a proportion of vehicles powered by internal combustion engines in favor of more climate-friendly hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) in its big and polluted cities, Mehr News Agency reported.
"We (the ministry) propose implementing the plan under a three-year or five-year program in some cities with high air pollution. We will supply the electricity," Chitchian said.
However, he stressed that the transition will come at a cost and called for changing the deeply entrenched mindset that energy carriers should remain subsidized.
"The plan is contingent on the fact that the government, decision-making bodies and the people should not expect fuel prices for transportation or heating to drop from current levels," the official said.
The scheme would help reduce the emission of harmful gases and also significantly lower the risk of gas explosion by powering more home appliances with electricity, Chitchian said.
Iran holds some of the world's largest crude oil and gas deposits. It is also ranked among the top five countries with the highest gas consumption.
In a report last year, BP named Iran alongside China as the emerging economies with the largest increments to gas consumption, although analysts attribute the rise to relatively cheap and easy access to gas that has led to imprudent use of the commodity fuel.
Iran was among the 195 nations that signed the Paris Agreement last year to move away from fossil fuels with a goal of limiting a rise in average global temperatures to well below 2 degrees Celsius.
Chitchian said his ministry is taking steps to push the initiative through the approval process. "Part of the infrastructure is ready," Chitchian said without elaborating on the scope, cost or feasibility of the scheme.
Earlier this year, the government approved a set of guidelines for the production of hybrids and electric vehicles. According to published reports, the government is planning to provide financial assistance to those who plan to buy electric or hybrid electric vehicles.
Promotion of electric vehicles also demands proper infrastructure, such as installing enough charging stations across the country that will cost millions of dollars.
According to reports, consumers in the US, a leading country in the EV industry, face a dilemma between gas-powered and electric cars because of the limited number of installed charging stations in that country.
However, analysts forecast a promising future for electric vehicles.
According to oil industry consultant Wood Mackenzie Ltd, electric cars could erode as much as 10% of global gasoline demand by 2035.
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