Maharashtra will lead the way for electric vehicles
Minister of Transport & Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of Maharashtra, Anil Parab flagged off the EV rally, one of its kind across India, organised at Sinchan Nagar on April 03, 2022.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta, MCCIA Director GeneralPrashant Girbane, Ajit Shinde, Regional Transport Officer, Pune and MIDC GM Marketing Abhijit Ghorpade were presentduring the flag-off ceremony.
The rally saw participation from 350 two-wheelers, 35 three-wheelers and over 40 four-wheelers, along with e-cycles, e-buses, which included 1 PMPML bus and 1 Hydro fuel bus (from Sentinent Labs), and e-auto rickshaws. The rally covered 28 kilometres. The EV rally started from Sinchan Nagar ground and headed towards Empress Garden for its first pit-stop.
The designated route for the rally was Empress Garden, MG Road, Pune Regional Transport (RTO), College of Engineering Pune (COEP), Jangli Maharaj (JM) Road, Fergusson College (FC) Road, Model Colony, Deep Bungalow Chowk, Om Super Market, ICC Trade Towers (MCCIA office), Savitribai Phule Pune University and back to Sinchan Nagar ground. The entire rally route was equipped with water points, a pit crew, ambulances, along with Pune police and RTO officials deputed on various locations.
In his speech, Anil Parab said, “On the backdrop of climate change, theGovernment of Maharashtra has brought out the green mobility and e-vehiclespolicy. The transitioning from traditional ICE vehicles to EVs is not easy. Allstakeholders in the society need to cooperate and participate to create awareness about the advantages of e-vehicles. Today’s EV rally is a part of this initiative and through such events, awareness about EVs will reach all citizens. The Government of Maharashtra is taking necessary steps to build infrastructure for EVs and I am confident that Maharashtra will lead the way in green mobility and e-mobility.”
Amitabh Gupta said, “India is leapfrogging in EV adoption. We are at a critical mass and simultaneously the charging and battery technology is evolving. I am confident that if we can achieve a range of 700 kilometres in single charge, then ICE vehicles will be a thing of the past.”
Abhijit Ghorpade said, “Climate Change is undoubtedly the greatest challenge faced by mankind in the 21st century. Of all the factors responsible for climate change, vehicular emission is one of the largest contributors to carbon emission.”
As a part of Government of Maharashtra initiative towards green mobility, MIDC, MPCB in association with MCCIA has organised the EV exhibition. Participation of 350 plus e-vehicles in this rally virtually brought electric mobility to the doorstep of Punekars.
Though the rally was 28 kms long, it will go a long way to build public awareness regarding environment, climate change and e-mobility.
Prashant Girbane said, “Pune is a city well-known for its auto industry. As the auto industry is going through a paradigm shift, the Pune AFC could help shape up this transition. The EV rally is a very important component of Pune AFC, as it would create awareness of the alternate fuel vehicles among the masses. We are so glad to see hundreds of participants in this rally.”
The EV exhibition at Sinchan Nagar will remain open from 11am to 8pm for allcitizens on April 3, 4 and 5.
