Mobility pitch: Govt to unveil electric vehicle policy soon

New Delhi: Giving a major push to electric vehicles sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday unveiled a mobility roadmap that seeks investments in manufacturing electric vehicles and increased use of public transport for travel by promising a stable policy regime to make India a pioneer in electric mobility.

Speaking at the Global Mobility Summit 'MOVE', the Prime Minister said, "Congestion-free mobility is critical to check economic and environmental costs of congestion."

"Indian economy is the world's fastest growing major economy that is building 100 smart cities and constructing roads, airports, rail lines and ports at a greater pace," he said, adding that the mobility powered by clean energy is the most powerful weapon to fight climate change.

"This means a pollution-free clean drive, leading to clean air and better living standards for our people. We should champion the idea of 'clean kilometres," the PM said, adding, "My vision for the future of mobility in India is based on 7 Cs: common, connected, convenient, congestion-free, charged, clean, cutting-edge."

"The focus must be to go beyond cars to other vehicles such as scooters and rickshaws. Common public transport must be the cornerstone of our mobility initiatives," the PM stated.

Calling for leveraging the full potential for vehicle pooling to improve private vehicle utilisation, the PM said, "Congestion-free mobility is critical to check the economic and environmental costs of congestion."

Mobility should be safe, affordable and accessible for all sections of the society, he said. Stating that charged mobility is the way forward, the Prime Minister said the government wants to drive investments across the value chain from batteries to smart charging to electric vehicle manufacturing.

"We need to ensure that public transport is preferred to private modes of travel. The Internet-enabled Connected Sharing Economy is emerging as the fulcrum of mobility," he said.

"Mobility is a key driver of the economy. Better mobility reduces the burden of travel and transportation and can boost economic growth. It is already a major employer and can create the next generation of jobs," the PM said.

Earlier in the day, Modi met executives from electric vehicle manufacturers, battery makers and technology at an exhibition of their new offerings in the capital.

Present on the occasion, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said, "Mobility is the next frontier and will be a key driver of jobs in India. Mobility comprises movement and seamless interconnectivity across various modes of transport and there is high potential in India to maintain the momentum of growth in the auto industry."

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, while speaking the Global Mobility Summit asked the auto companies for a "little change in mindsets" by giving more priority to future, while assuring them of government support with clear policies.

The government is clear with its policy to reduce import of oil and end pollution, for which it is encouraging alternative fuel technologies such as biofuels and electric mobility," Gadkari said at the event.