Himachal Gives Green Push by Switching Official Vehicles With Electric Ones

Authorities in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, where farming communities are some of the most vulnerable to the changing climate, have initiated steps to curb vehicular pollution by promoting e-vehicles. In a green push, the state transport department this month became the first in the country to switch its entire fleet of petrol and diesel official vehicles to electric ones. The India-UK PACT provides funding for Research Triangle Institute to identify policy and institutional gaps around transitioning public transport to electric vehicles, both at the state and city levels. Responding to the state’s EV policy, Climate Trends research associate Archit Fursule told IANS, “With states aiming for 15 per cent of new sales to be EVs by 2025 along with attracting investments into the state, as per our analysis the uptake of EVs into Himachal needs to focus on an implementation strategy which leads to a complete development of the EV ecosystem.” “Along with the state creating zero or low-emission zones in Shimla, Baddi, Dharamsala, eco-sensitive areas in all tourist destinations to allow only EVs like e-buses, auto-rickshaws, and e-cabs gives a good boost as per the policy,” Fursule said. The state’s electric vehicle policy is targeted to achieve 100 per cent transition to electric vehicles by 2030 in alignment with the United Nation’s sustainable development goals.