14 February 2026

China is the clean energy superpower, but there’s another snapping at its heels — and it’s moving even faster

Laura Paddison

The Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka, India, on October 11, 2021. New research has found that India is electrifying faster and using fewer fossil fuels than China did at a similar level of economic development. Abhishek Chinnappa/Getty Images

Prem Chand is one of the many rickshaw drivers who spend their days darting and weaving along Delhi’s hectic roads. And like an increasing number of the city’s many thousands of rickshaws, Chand’s vehicle is electric.

He used to drive a gas-powered cab but ditched it eight months ago when he did the math and realized an e-rickshaw was far cheaper to run. Plus there’s an added bonus: it pumps no tailpipe pollution into the city’s famously toxic air.


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