Electric cars could be inducted in govt-owned fleets

The road transport and highways ministry and the heavy industries ministry are planning to propose induction of electric vehicles (EVs) in car fleets owned by various government departments and agencies. This is an attempt to not only help reduce pollution levels, but also promote usage of electric cars among the citizens.

The transport ministry will soon officially draft a proposal and send it to the Finance ministry. The said proposal will suggest making procurement of electric cars mandatory for government departments. Through this proposal, the ministry is planning to replace around 20% of the car fleet owned by the government with electric cars. Ministry officials have also claimed that it will be easier to provide charging infrastructure in the ministry and department campuses. Similar steps will be taken in state government-owned fleets as well.

Additionally, the ministry has also indicated plans to promote use of electric cars in the fleets of existing taxi aggregators such as Uber and Ola.

These steps come on the backdrop of the Supreme Court asking the government to propose and implement solutions in order to control rising vehicular pollution levels.

Source: ET Auto