I’ll Make Electric Cars but WON’T Stop Writing: Chetan Bhagat

After tweeting about ‘moving’ to making electric cars, Bhagat told The Quint the bestsellers won’t stop coming.

Chetan Bhagat (Photo: The Quint)

Chetan Bhagat’s recent tweet on “moving from writing” to making electric cars has left people shocked (or pleasantly surprised, depending on their reading preferences).

But don’t jump to conclusions just yet. The Half-Girlfriend author is NOT giving up writing novels for good. In an interview with The Quint, Bhagat has clarified the confusion surrounding his tweet.

I am not going to stop writing. It’s part of something bigger. There is a plan. I am not at liberty to reveal further. Stay tuned. 

Chetan Bhagat, Author

It all started with the bestselling author tweeting his intention of moving on from writing to manufacturing electric cars, with the hashtag TimeToGetSmarter.

It inspired a bunch of mixed reactions from Twitterati. While some were heartbroken that he would not churn out more bestsellers, others breathed a collective sigh of relief, disguised in witty one-liners.

Some also raised an eyebrow at the ‘#TimeToGetSmarter.’

While Bhagat may not be ‘at liberty’ to divulge further details on his ‘electric car project’, the author didn’t hold back from giving his tuppence on making electric cars a reality in India.

Talking to The Quint, he said, “Whether it is to burn less fossil fuels or to reduce urban pollution, I think we should really encourage electric cars. It can revolutionise India. Electric cars would require charging stations instead of fuel pumps.”

“We (India) don’t produce our own fossil fuels, we import most of them. But generating electricity is something that we are self-sufficient in,” he added.

Electric cars can be great for the economy and for abating pollution as well. So it should be something the government should look into seriously. I think the government can incentivise them; it can reduce taxes on electric cars and encourage them.

Chetan Bhagat, Author

Also Read: Chetan Bhagat’s Take On Demonetisation is Surprisingly Anti-Modi

And Elon Musk’s Tesla has a lot to do with Bhagat’s declared intention of entering electric car manufacturing.

Tesla already has an electric car out there which is successful, and all auto manufacturers are working on it as well. I am inspired by Elon Musk, but anyone can think along these lines. Technology like this is quickly adopted.

Chetan Bhagat, Author

Also read: Will You Support Modi If He Declares Emergency, Asks Chetan Bhagat

Bhagat said, “The R&D is reaching a point where in the next three to five years, we will have a good number of electric cars in India, provided the infrastructure is in place.”

But there is more for Bhagat fans to look forward to (besides his books and electric cars). His novel Half Girlfriend has already been adapted into a film starring Shraddha Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor, slated for release on 19 May. Moviegoers are anticipating its trailer by end of March.

Also Read: Chetan Bhagat Interview, Part 1: Cunnilingus and The ‘F’ Word