Delhi Govt will replace existing car fleet with electric vehicles in 6 months, EESL elated

New Delhi: Someone had to do it and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has taken the lead. In a major push towards adopting Electric Vehicles (EVs), the Delhi government has announced that it will replace its entire conventional fuel car fleet, which has about 2,000 cars, with electric vehicles within six months. The order in this regards has been issued by the Delhi Govt's Special Secretary (Finance) on February 23. The vendors have been accordingly asked to make arrangements for the EVs. The decision came in the backdrop of a campaign, 'Switch Delhi' which the Delhi Government had launched to encourage private vehicle owners to take a pledge to shift to electric vehicles and install a charging point within their premises in the next three years.

Earlier in August 2020, the Delhi government had launched an Electric Vehicle Policy in which the government had promised to wave off the registration fee, road tax and provide an incentive of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for the new cars in Delhi. The decision, taken by the Delhi government, will not only help in the reduction in carbon emissions but also help Delhiites to save some extra money in their pockets from rocket-raising fuel prices.

Commenting on the Delhi Govt's decision, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, It's history! Driven by the vision of CM @ArvindKejriwal to make Delhi the 'Electric Vehicle capital', Delhi govt today became the 1st in the world, not just India, to mandate its entire hired car fleet to switch to electric WITHIN a deadline- 6 mths. @SwitchDelhi begins at home."

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EESL India-owned 'Convergence' also welcomed Delhi Government's move and said that the adoption of Electric Vehicles is essential for better air quality, enhanced energy security, transition to clean energy sources, along with reduced emissions.

Saurabh Kumar, executive vice-chairperson, EESL Group of Companies, said, "The Delhi government's decision to commit to EVs (electric vehicles) will go a long way in accelerating EV adoption and in encouraging other states to follow." He added that the group is committed to enabling the entire ecosystem of electric mobility and, through CESL, it is designing business models to help expedite the transition. "We look forward to more such positive interventions in the sector."

Convergence Energy Services Ltd MD and CEO Mahua Acharya said, "This shift will do a lot for residents of the NCT area…addressing air and noise pollution whilst simultaneously signalling to the market its seriousness around electric mobility."

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