Delhi govt allows e-bike taxis: All you need to know

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Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on October 19 approved the much-awaited ‘Delhi Motor Vehicle Aggregator and Delivery Service Provider Scheme’, which legalises bike taxis and outlines comprehensive regulation and licensing of app-based aggregators and delivery service providers.

The EV Policy 2.0, which has been sent to Governor VK Saxena for final clearance, aims to promote green and sustainable mobility in the city, while also enhancing the quality of transportation services.

Under this scheme, bike taxi aggregators will be allowed to run their operations in Delhi legally provided they are electrically operated. It also states that the entire vehicle fleet of aggregators, delivery service providers and ecommerce entities in Delhi needs to shift to electric by 2030.

"The Delhi government is committed to taking all possible measures to improve transport services for the people of Delhi, while promoting green, sustainable, urban mobility," said Kejriwal, while announcing the policy.

The policy also entails the induction of 5 percent EVs in fleets run by cab aggregators like Uber and Ola in six months, 50 percent in three years and the rest 100 percent in five years. The state government is also mandating 100 percent of all cab aggregators and delivery service providers to switch to EVs by the calendar year 2030.

Industry stakeholders reckon that Delhi's move to legalise electric bike taxis and set clear regulations for app-based aggregators and delivery services is a “significant step forward”.

“By mandating a time-bound shift towards electric vehicles for commercial fleets, Delhi sets a remarkable precedent for the rest of the nation and the world. It's encouraging to see such a practical and goal-oriented approach to greener transportation. Chargeup is committed to playing its part in this transition, providing the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles. As we move forward, we aim to contribute to Delhi's transformation into a more sustainable and eco-friendly city. This policy holds the potential to not only safeguard our environment but also improve the lives of Delhi's residents," stated Varun Goenka, CEO and co-founder, Chargeup.

On similar lines, Tushar Choudhary, Founder & CEO, Motovolt Mobility said, "Mandating electric bike taxis and setting clear timelines for transitioning commercial fleets to electric vehicles demonstrates exemplary leadership in reducing emissions and improving air quality. This policy marks a significant step towards greenifying Indian roads and provides a clear roadmap for stakeholders to plan and align their strategies. Addressing rider safety is crucial for a safe transition. However, assessing the cost impact on fleet operators and OEMs is essential as this policy evolves.”

Meanwhile, the shares of Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) plunged over 4 percent to Rs 459 in afternoon trade on October 19 after the Delhi government's electric vehicle (EV) policy aimed at accelerating the adoption of EVs.