Kolkata tops six global megacities for fastest adoption of E-buses, beating London
While the whole world speaks of sustainable energy and adoption of electric vehicles, Kolkata silently implemented the gradual transition to E-vehicles. And now Kolkata has a new feather to its cap, being featured among six global megacities for its fastest adoption of electric vehicles in mass transportation. The EV City Casebook 2021, which will be released on March 11, will have Kolkata as a case study along with Shenzhen (China), Santiago (Chile), Izmir (Turkey), London (UK) and Vancouver (Canada).
In fact, Kolkata stands third — ahead of London — in terms of ‘percentage penetration of e-buses’. Significantly, Shenzhen is way ahead, with 99% of the world’s electric buses being in China. Kolkata, with its largest fleet of electric buses among Indian cities, along with the oldest surviving tram network of Asia, makes a good case study of electric mass transit.
The ‘Third EV City Casebook’ presents informative case studies on city and regional EV deployment efforts around the world. These case studies are illustrative examples of how pioneering cities are preparing the ground for mass market EV deployment. The only other Indian city that features in this casebook is Ahmedabad. But that is for the electric taxi segment.
Electric Mass Transit Systems – designed to inspire others to move towards mass electric mobility. Kolkata has run an electric tramway for more than a century. The city is now also taking a leading role to introduce electric buses for public transport with an aim to reduce vehicular pollution within the city.
The purpose of the EV City Casebook is to share experiences on EV demonstration and deployment, identify challenges and opportunities, and highlight best practices for creating thriving EV ecosystems. These studies help in understanding of the most effective policy measures that would drive implementation of electric vehicles in urban areas. The project was done in collaboration with The Electric Vehicles Initiative (EVI) and the International Energy Agency (IEA) under their ‘Implementing Agreement’ for Cooperation on Hybrid & Electric Vehicle (HEV) Technologies and Programmes.
It showcases cities across the world that are building better, cleaner mobility through Electric Mass Transit Systems – designed to inspire others to move towards mass electric mobility. Kolkata has run an electric tramway for more than a century. The city is now also taking a leading role to introduce electric buses for public transport with an aim to reduce vehicular pollution within the city. Hope Kolkata will also bring back its tram network system aiming at zero pollution. Only a week back, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rode on an E-scooter to popularize ‘no petrol’ campaign. No wonder, Kolkata has taken cue from her vision and has turned into a global energy implementation phenomena today.
