In a bid to use green energy to power vehicles, particularly in the bike-taxi sector, the government plans to roll out an entire new set of directives soon. The proposed changes would be implemented in Delhi first.
Apprehending the move, Uber Technologies Inc on Friday, sounded concern over “plans by the local government” to only allow electric vehicles to function as bike taxis. The ride-hailing major says such a move would risk “finishing off the sector” and impact the mobility needs of millions.
Earlier this week, the Delhi government in newspaper ads said digital platforms offering two-wheeler bike taxi rides should not do so as it violates certain existing transport rules.
Delhi’s plans, part of a new policy to regulate vehicles used by ride-hailing companies like Uber and rival Ola, are being finalised and will be rolled out soon, report insiders. If implemented, this would mark an aggressive step towards the country’s ambitions to ramp up the transition to vehicles that run on clean energy to reduce oil imports and curb pollution.
Uber, in a blogpost, said any such move would put at risk the livelihood of over 100,000 drivers in the city.
“Steep and infeasible EV mandates risk finishing off the sector as we know it. The impact of such a decision on the livelihoods and mobility needs of millions of Delhiites is clear,” San Francisco-headquartered Uber said, urging the government to initiate industry dialogue. Uber has set a 2040 target for 100% of its rides to be in zero-emission vehicles, public transport or with micro-mobility, including in India.
Earlier this month, Uber announced plans to introduce 25,000 EVs over three years in India. Electric cars will however still be a fraction of Uber’s current overall active fleet of 300,000 vehicles in India.
Also Read: Guj Schools Remain Deprived Of Internet-Based Education
