Electric Vehicles

Emmisions from internal combustion vehicles is a main contributor to smog levels in many cities, Mumbai is no different. Reducing the use of petroleum based fuels is one way to improve overall air quality and electric vehicles are one of the best replacements for internal combustion powered vehicles. India has been a party to several international agreements concerning air polution and climate change. These include the Conventions on Climate Change, the Montreal Protocol, the Kyoto Protocol, and several others. The other main impetus for a shift from internal combustion to electric vehicles is the scarcity of crude oil and its ever increasing cost. India, in particular, is in great need of alternative fuel sources. India currently imports approximately 70% of its oil from abroad and has less than six months worth of oil reserves. This situation will only worsen as more development continues and population increases. In addition to savings on gasoline, electric vehicles are superior to interanl combustion vehicles in other ways. Due to their smaller number of parts, electric vehicles are easier to maintain and repair. They also have a proven 20 year life span, far longer than most internal combustion vehicles. In light of this, India has taken several steps to promote electric vehicles.

The government of India has been attempting to curb vehicular pollution for many years and has been supportive of electric vehicles. In 1992, the Supreme Court of India appointed a Committee on Vehicular Pollution and a steering committee on "Electronic Automotive Systems for Pollution Free Vehicles," was set up by the Government of India under the Chairmanship of the Secretary, Department of Electronics, in 1993. Pilot projects such as Clean Air Island have been recommended by the committee for popularising electric vehicles. The use of electric vehicles not only enables India to reduce dependance on foreign oil, it also promotes the national economy. Due to the work of this committee, and many others, electric vehicle technology has been completely indigenised in India and Mumbai has pioneered the manufacture of pure electric vehicles in Maharastra, close to the city, which enables the efficient introduction and upkeep of these vehicles. Increased production and sale of electric vehicles in India will lead to economies of scale, leading to lower prices, increased usage in both the public and private sector, and substantial reduction in carbon dioxide levels.

Clean Air Island currently uses electric tow tractors to haul wet waste to Colaba Pumping Station for the large scale vermiculture project there. We have also designed three electric vans to be used as mobile Public Awareness platforms to bring Clean Air Island's message and activities to the public. If you would like more information on these models, or electric vehicles in general, please contact us.