Electric Uber, Ola fleet by 2026

New Delhi, June 6

The Centre plans to order taxi aggregators like Uber and Ola to convert 40 per cent of their fleet of cars to electric by April 2026, according to a source and records of government meetings to discuss new rules for clean mobility.

Uber and Ola, both backed by Softbank Group, would need to start converting their fleet as early as next year to achieve 2.5 per cent electrification by 2021, 5 per cent by 2022, 10 per cent by 2023 before hiking it to 40 per cent.

Some taxi players tried to operate electric cars but with little success, given the inadequate infrastructure and high costs. New Delhi, however, is looking to push the new policy to boost adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as it tries to bring down its oil imports and curb pollution so it can meet its commitment as part of the 2015 Paris climate change treaty. Niti Aayog, which plays a crucial role in policymaking, is working with several ministries on the EV policy.

“The recommendations will eventually become a formal policy, with or without changes, subject to approval by the government,” the source said, adding: “The idea is to push electrification through public transport.”

EV sales in India grew three-fold to 3,600 in last financial year but still account for about 0.1 per cent of the 3.3 million diesel and gasoline cars sold over the period. China’s electric car sales, meanwhile, rose 62 per cent in 2018. — Reuters