With an aim to create a transparent, accessible and effective process to deploy ‘Electric Vehicles’ (EVs), chargers and to create awareness about making Delhi pollution free by adopting clean modes of transport, the Delhi government on Friday held its first meeting on Friday in which industry representatives highlighted challenges and opportunities in implementing the EV policy in the national Capital.

The ‘Delhi EV Forum’ established to serve as a platform for continuous engagement with stakeholders in the EV ecosystem for successful implementation of the Delhi EV Policy. On behalf of the Delhi government, Dialogue and Development Commission (DDC) hosted the first meeting of the forum with RMI India’s support.

Speaking at the meeting, Kailash Gahlot, Minister of Transport and Environment, Delhi government said, “Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the EV policy is being implanted in Delhi. Its execution has been systematic, including the rollout of financial incentives for EVs. We would like to see Delhi as the EV capital not only of India but of the world.”

Highlighting the need for a robust EV ecosystem, Jasmine Shah, Vice Chairperson of DDC said, “It is a privilege for DDC to host the Delhi EV Forum. This forum creates a much needed platform for the entire community of people passionate about deploying electric vehicles at scale in one Indian city, to come together and make it happen.”

Shah further highlighted that the government can do its part but there has to be a joint vision. “Five years from now, when we talk about a global lighthouse city, Delhi's name should be there. If that is the tall ambition that is to be achieved, this will require combined efforts of all of us,” he added.

Commenting on deploying more charging stations in the capital, Padmini Singla, Secretary (Power) Delhi government said, “There is a chicken-egg situation with EVs and charging stations. Delhi government is trying to solve this by deploying charging infrastructure by providing 100 stations in the first phase”.

More than 130 participants from auto, charging and fleet sectors along with civil society organisations and experts attended the virtual meeting. There were discussions around creating joint awareness programmes by government departments and industry to promote EVs; ways to deploy charging infrastructure at appropriate spaces; need for high quality EVs and encouraging fleet operators to convert existing fleets to electric.

Considering that the EV ecosystem is relatively new and still in the initial stages of development, consultations and stakeholder discussions are expected to prove crucial in the early stages of implementation of the Delhi EV Policy, the office of DDC said in a statement.

Therefore, think-tanks, civil society organizations (CSOs), Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), charging infrastructure providers, fleet-aggregators, first and last-mile service providers, among other mobility service providers and government agencies will be invited to further quarterly meetings, it said.