Industry bodies request Delhi govt to relax timeline of EV transition

The Delhi administration has been encouraged to slacken the deadlines for the transition to

electric vehicles

IAMAI's (Internet and Mobile Association of India) argument is that an aggressive EV transition might harm the lives of gig workers in Delhi who had invested in conventionally powered

two-wheelers

“The availability of automobiles and accompanying infrastructure should be taken into consideration when setting adoption goals for EVs,” Nasscom stated in its proposal. The objectives for electrification seem unattainable given the minimal availability of EVs in Delhi today, particularly in the 2- and 4-wheeler segments.

Furthermore, even if EVs were accessible, it would be challenging for drivers to transition to EVs due to a lack of supporting infrastructure. Therefore, an aggressive electrification policy in a weak supply-side ecosystem will force aggregators and delivery service providers (DSPs) to significantly slow down their business growth in the National Capital Territory of Delhi, which will ultimately affect people's mobility in the NCT of Delhi, it continued.

IndiaTech said in its submission that the programme places the obligation of transition on the platforms, which have no control over the cars, and urged the Delhi government to ease off on the objectives and eliminate fines on the mandatory EV transition.

"The vehicles belong to the gig worker, and any intention to switch to EV is at the sole discretion of the gig workers," it said.

In order to comply with this legislation, industry participants will have to "reserve" all gig work for just those who have electric vehicles for two years and for four years, respectively. Such regulation will result in entrance obstacles for people who cannot afford an EV.