4. Enhancing Resilience in EV Mobility Systems to Support Sustainable Food Supply Chains amid Climate Change Challenges

The increasing frequency and severity of climate-induced disruptions, including erratic weather patterns, floods, and heatwaves, have exposed critical vulnerabilities in India's agri- food supply chains, particularly in the last-mile logistics. Concurrently, India faces escalating post-harvest losses and mounting carbon emissions from fossil-fuel-based transportation, threatening food security and environmental sustainability. Against this backdrop, Electric Vehicles (EVs) present a promising technological and ecological solution, particularly for climatesensitive, urban, and peri-urban food delivery networks. This study critically examines the role of EV mobility systems in enhancing the resilience and sustainability of agri-food logistics amid climate change challenges. Using a robust Decision- Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) approach, the research identifies nine interrelated factors influencing the adoption and performance of EVs in India's food logistics sector. Findings from expert evaluations reveal that infrastructure-related enablers- particularly charging infrastructure, battery range, thermal management, and cold chain integrationserve as pivotal drivers with significant cascading impacts across the logistics ecosystem. Comparative analysis further substantiates EVs' superior environmental and cost efficiencies relative to conventional fossil-fuel vehicles, with lifecycle carbon emissions reduced by up to 80% when powered by renewables. However, systemic adoption remains constrained by inadequate charging networks in rural regions, high upfront capital investment, limited cold chain-compatible EVs, and fragmented policy frameworks focused primarily on passenger mobility. Strategic insights derived from the DEMATEL model underscore the need for integrated interventions across infrastructure, technology, and policy spheres. The research proposes a multi-pronged roadmap for stakeholders-policymakers, EV manufacturers, agri-logistics providers, and financial institutions-to foster India's resilient, inclusive, decarbonized food supply chain. Aligning directly with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 and 13, this study provides actionable strategies to synergize technological innovation with climate resilience, ensuring sustainable food security in the face of escalating environmental uncertainties. The findings contribute to the academic discourse on sustainable supply chains and a practical guide for India's transition toward a carbon-neutral, food-secure future.