IITLS Summit 2017: electric buses to promote pollution-free transport

Working towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' vision, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said lithium-ion battery backups would be manufactured in India.

Speaking at the India Integrated Transport and Logistics Summit 2017 (IITLS) here, Gadkari said the 'dream of electric vehicles- electric car, electric taxis, electric bus is not far'.

In this regard, Stefan Palskog, President of Scania India Operations, a Sweden-based manufacturer of electric and bio-diesel vehicles in India said there is an enormous need for fuel conservation in India.

"We understand that we have stiff competition in the electric vehicle segment. However, there is an enormous need in the wake of the environmental impact," he said.

"Conversion of fuel and its storage requires a holistic view from stakeholders. Over time, we are looking to set up our manufacturing unit in India and skill our employees over time. It is like developing an entire ecosystem," said Stefan, while adding that the company has all the 'ingredients' ready for fulfilling Prime Minister Modi's vision of a new integrated India.

In terms of cutting down on pollution, Jorawar Singh, a sales consultant at Indraprastha Automobiles Pvt Ltd, the dealer of electric vehicles manufactured by Mahindra & Mahindra said due to its zero emission feature, electric vehicles will drastically help in curbing pollution.

"Although it is an expensive automobile, an electric vehicle helps in reducing pollution since there is zero emission. It will be very beneficial to the future of loading and transport," he said.