Mumbai Now has a Dedicated Cell to Accelerate Electric Mobility

23 Feb, 2022

A joint initiative of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and WRI India, the cell will aim at decarbonizing the city’s transport sector

Mumbai, India (February 23, 2022): Shri Aaditya Thackeray, Minister of Tourism and Environment, Government of Maharashtra, launched a dedicated cell to accelerate electric mobility in Mumbai. The Mumbai Electric Vehicle (EV) Cell is a joint initiative of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and World Resources Institute (WRI) India.

The composition of the Mumbai EV Cell includes government officials, e-mobility experts from WRI India and industry stakeholders. This dedicated cell, conceptualized in 2021, comprises an expert committee to extend holistic support to the state government in enabling a change in consumer behavior to help them transition to EVs.

One of the key focus areas of the Mumbai EV Cell will be helping Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) transition to 100% electric fleet through organizational restructuring, depot prioritization plan and technical support for deployment on key routes. The cell will also help in devising a replacement strategy for BEST’s diesel and CNG-run buses with e-buses.

Another key focus area of the cell will be to facilitate the installation of charging infrastructure – the fuel of EVs – to help consumers overcome range anxiety that is a major impediment in transition to electric mobility. Together with Mumbai’s urban local bodies, the EV cell will also help the state government create a comprehensive roadmap for setting up EV charging infrastructure, devise fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, promote public-private partnerships and encourage renewable energy production.

According to a city-level analysis conducted by WRI India, the total EV charging energy demand in the city is expected to be 550 MWh by 2025. This would imply the need to set up at least 21,096 charging points. By 2030, the analysis expects the energy demand to grow sixfold – catapulting the charging point requirement by a whopping 521%.

Speaking at the launch, Shri Aaditya Thackeray said, “Since the announcement of our EV policy, Maharashtra has seen a jump of 157% in EV registrations. We are also swiftly working towards electrifying the BEST fleet. Currently, 386 BEST buses are electric and will soon touch 50% by 2023 and 100% before 2027. This is just the beginning. We have a long way to go in this hour of climate emergency. I am thankful to WRI India for supporting our efforts. Also grateful to BMC, BEST and most importantly, Mumbaikars, who are the most crucial stakeholders in our efforts towards sustainable development.”

Shri Pawan Mulukutla, Director - Clean Mobility and Energy Tech, WRI India, noted, “This partnership will be pivotal in making Maharashtra a model state for EV adoption and a manufacturing hub for components across the value chain. The constitution of a dedicated EV Cell is the logical next step in creation of a well-integrated approach towards aligning important urban spaces with India’s sustainability targets”.

In its latest EV policy, the state government has laid emphasis on adoption of zero-tailpipe-emission vehicles, especially in polluted urban areas like Mumbai. In collaboration with WRI India, BMC is also drafting Mumbai’s Climate Action Plan to set tangible emission reduction targets for the city. The transport sector currently accounts for roughly a quarter of Mumbai’s total greenhouse emissions.

About MCGM
The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai is the governing civic body of Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra. It is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city and some suburbs. MCGM was established under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act of 1888.

About WRI India Ross Center
WRI India Ross Center is dedicated to supporting Indian cities in their journey to be low carbon, resilient and inclusive. WRI India Ross Center is a research organization that works with governments, businesses, multilateral institutions, and civil society groups to develop practical solutions that improve people’s lives and protect nature.

Learn more about our work at: https://www.wricitiesindia.org/

Media Contacts
Ankita Rajeshwari, WRI India: Ankita.Rajeshwari@wri.org, +91 8860747068
Nitya Kaushik, WRI India: nitya.kaushik@wri.org; +91 9819902763