Within days of announcing its new Electric Vehicle Policy 2021, Maharashtra Friday announced its partnership with Climate Group’s EV100 network to push and promote electric vehicles and reduce CO2 emissions.

The policy, meanwhile, was also notified on Friday.

Climate Group is a network of over 110 companies that have pledged 100% EVs by 2030.

Eleven India-headquartered companies including Bounce, BSES Rajdhani and Yamuna, Dalmia Cement, Flipkart, JSW Cement, Mindspace Business Parks REIT, SBI, Shuttl, Wipro and Zomato have made the EV100 commitment with a combined fleet size of over 201,000 vehicles. Maharashtra has become the first Indian state to collaborate  with a partner for promotion of electric vehicles.

EV100 is a business-focused climate initiative to make electric transport the new normal by shifting corporates to 100% EVs by 2030 and accelerating the transition away from polluting internal combustion engines vehicles. The partnership aims to catalyse the EV ecosystem in the state through targeted interventions with businesses in support of the new EV Policy. The EV100 partnership will support early-mover companies to shape government policy by sharing their experiences and suggestions.
 
The partnership, guided by the department of environment and climate change, comes against the backdrop of Maharashtra’s new EV Policy that aims to have 10% battery operated electric vehicles in new registrations by 2025. The new policy is armed with economic incentives, complementing those under FAME 2, to enhance EV purchase for personal and commercial use. The state has additionally set targets for electrifying government vehicles and 15% of Maharashtra’s state-run road transport corporation’s existing bus fleet. The policy also exempts road tax and registration fees for all new EVs.

The policy also aims to achieve 25% electrification of last-mile delivery vehicles by 2025. E-commerce companies, delivery and logistics players and mobility aggregators will submit EV transition plans to the state’s transport department in six months from the day of notification of the policy. As per Climate Group and SYSTEMIQ research (Fleets First study), majority of the EVs driven today globally are privately-owned passenger vehicles while only 11% of EVs are part of fleets. Focusing on fleets can transform faster electrification and boost infrastructure simultaneously. Maharashtra’s policy mandate and the EV100 engagement will open long-term and wider economic opportunities for delivery companies in Maharashtra.

Speaking on the partnership with EV100, environment minister, Aditya Thackeray said, “Investing in a clean transport system is an essential part of our State Climate Action Plan. With the revised EV Policy we want to engage early on with the most important stakeholder – businesses. The EV100 partnership aims to build a robust demand for EVs that can enable key linkages for the vibrant business community in Maharashtra and support the faster uptake of the policy. As the first Indian state to partner with EV100  we want to take the lead in driving corporate EV demand and encourage fellow states as well towards catalysing a pan India EV revolution.”
 
Peter Betzel, CEO and chief sustainability officer, IKEA India, said: “This comprehensive policy with multiple incentives and targets including for urban last mile freight will enable businesses and many people to adopt EVs faster. It is also encouraging to note the emphasis on skill building that would help build a robust support ecosystem for EVs. IKEA is committed to being people and planet positive and this is integrated into our business. By 2025, we aim to achieve 100% customer deliveries and services by EVs. We are happy to partner with the Government of Maharashtra in its objectives on mobility transition and enabling a sustainable future.”

Maharashtra will also explore the feasibility of Climate Group’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) programme.
 
A research and policy representative from the environment  ministers office who did not wish to be quoted said that  to give an enabling and  functional aspect to the policy through a network like EV 100  the state will have direct access  to industry members and explain them the benefits of transitioning into the policy framework. The policy also aligns with ZEV community, an electric vehicle best practices community that talks about things the Indian govt is not yet well versed with and how to best practices of peers across the world. Aligning with the EV network agenda also makes the govt a stakeholder in EV 100 network and also help us inspire leadership for the industry.