The Delhi Government’s new Air Pollution Mitigation Plan proposes an impressive array of clean air measures: from deploying e-autos and electric buses to using sprinklers, anti-smog guns, mechanised road sweepers, and installing 18,000 EV charging stations at key transit hubs. However, one significant gap remains – there is no clear roadmap to boost first- and last-mile movement of people and cargo.
This is a missed opportunity, because shared electric vehicle (EV) fleets can play an outsized role in increasing the demand for clean public transport like Metros and e-buses, if integrated into the city’s mobility plans. Low-speed electric two-wheelers (E2Ws), in particular — which currently fall outside the ambit of state EV policies — can deliver a real-world impact on Delhi’s air quality.
With Delhi’s administration currently reviewing earlier EV transition guidelines for delivery fleets, there is an opportunity to rethink the city’s pollution strategy and give a larger role to shared, low-speed E2W fleets. Let’s explore how this would benefit urban air quality and quality of life.
Shared EVs Strike at the Underlying Causes of Pollution and Congestion
Transport-related emissions are not the sole cause of Delhi’s poor air quality, but they contribute significantly to it. Many Delhiites are forced to buy private two-wheelers or cars due to the lack of affordable and reliable first- and last-mile options. The result is lakhs of fossil fuel vehicles choking the streets and the air. This challenge is magnified in the commercial sector. As demand for 10-minute deliveries soars, the number of petrol-based delivery vehicles on Delhi’s streets has ballooned. These vehicles often make dozens of short trips daily, adding to local emissions.
However, shared low-speed E2Ws have a dramatically lower emissions footprint. If shared E2W fleets replaced even one-tenth of today’s petrol-powered bikes and scooters on the road, Delhi could see an overall CO2 reduction of up to 3 million tonnes over these vehicles’ lifetimes.
Shared EVs also offer benefits beyond pollution reduction. These include:
- Decongestion: Shared EVs help reduce the need for private vehicle ownership, and drive demand for public transport, thereby decongesting the roads.
- Better last-mile access: For commuters, they offer a cheaper, self-driven and convenient alternative to crowded or expensive autos/cabs.
- Democratised mobility: Shared services provide an affordable mobility option for low-income residents and gig workers who can’t afford private vehicles.
- Sustainable e-commerce: Instead of purchasing EVs for their riders, e-retail platforms can quickly and cost-effectively partner shared EV platforms to achieve their fleet electrification targets.
Reimaging Delhi’s Air Pollution Mitigation Plan with a ‘Shared’ Vision for Mobility
Here’s how Delhi’s government can maximise the potential of shared EVs:
- Solve for accessibility: Create dedicated shared mobility zones near Metro and bus stations for seamless last-mile connectivity.
- Prioritise safety: Build protected lanes for smaller EVs to promote safe, efficient mobility.
- Enable sustainable businesses: Offer affordable land for EV parking, streamline approvals, and simplify permits to support clean mobility providers.
- Provide clear guidelines: Establish distinct policies for low-speed, mid-speed, and high-speed electric two-wheelers.
- Build a unified mobility app: Develop a city-wide mobility-as-a-service or MaaS app to integrate shared EVs with public transport systems.
- Revise zoning laws: Limit personal vehicle access in key commercial districts and promote shared, sustainable transport.
As Delhi races to improve its AQI, shared EVs offer a powerful, scalable tool to help the city breathe easier. By encouraging shared EV fleets, the Government can not only reduce traffic and emissions, but also make clean, affordable mobility accessible to all. It’s time for policymakers to seize this opportunity and place shared electric mobility at the heart of Delhi’s clean air mission.
By Gowri Natarajan, Associate Director – Public Policy, Yulu
