Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a Super Energy Service Company (ESCO) under the administrative control of Ministry of Power, Govt of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the General Administration Department (GAD), Government of Maharashtra to lease out electric vehicles and install EV chargers in state government offices. The vehicles would be provided under the Government of Maharashtra’s Electric Vehicle and Related Infrastructure Policy – 2018.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister, Government of Maharashtra; Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Diwakar Raote, Minister for Transport, Government of Maharashtra; Erik Solheim; Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme and Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director, EESL.
Marking the commencement of e-mobility era in Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis flagged off the first set of 20 EVs at the Gateway of India in Mumbai. The Government of Maharashtra announced its Electric Vehicle and Related Infrastructure Policy-2018 with a vision to establish the state as a globally competitive destination for electric vehicles and component manufacturing while simultaneously promoting their wide-spread adoption. The MoU between EESL and Maharashtra will support the state government’s vision of generating investment worth Rs 25,000 crore in EV and component manufacturing, assembly enterprises and charging equipment manufacturing. The policy also entails increasing the number of registered EVs in the state to 5 lakh and creation of one lakh jobs.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of Maharashtra, said, “Today, Maharashtra embarks on the path of e-mobility marking an important milestone in its trajectory of growth. Through this MoU with EESL, we are ushering in an era of clean, green and future-oriented technologies in the state. The EV programme will enable sustainable transport and further enhance our state’s stature as a favoured economic destination.”
“E-mobility is the future of our cities. Maharashtra’s leadership in promoting electric vehicles is a big step towards cities that can breathe, and where innovation thrives!”, said Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UN Environment.
Saurabh Kumar, Managing Director, EESL, said, “It is our endeavour to contribute to the Indian Government’s e-mobility mission. Maharashtra is among the top contributors to the Indian economy and its transition to e-mobility will have a positive effect on national goals related to climate and sustainable growth. Under this MoU, we will provide EVs to state government offices and install charging equipment enabling a smooth and sustainable transition to a future-oriented mobility solution. We are pleased to forge this significant partnership with Maharashtra and look forward to collaborating with other states as well. EESL is confident of successfully implementing its e-mobility programme across the nation continuing its winning streak of transforming markets with innovative business models and advanced technologies.”
Earlier this year, the Government of India launched the National E-Mobility Programme to provide an impetus to the entire e-mobility ecosystem including vehicle manufacturers, charging infrastructure companies, fleet operators, service providers, etc. EESL is aggregating demand by procuring electric vehicles in bulk to leverage economies of scale. These electric vehicles will replace the existing fleet of petrol and diesel vehicles of the Central and State Governments.
EESL plans to leverage efficiencies of scale and drive down costs through its innovative business model while supporting local manufacturing facilities, gaining technical competencies for the long-term growth of the EV industry and enabling Indian EV manufacturers to emerge as major global players.
@EPC World Media
