Hyderabad: Electric mobility is not merely an alternative to petrol and diesel vehicles, it is linked to the country’s energy security, climate protection and reducing import dependence, said Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy at an event on Sunday. He stressed that EVs will play a key role in India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.“To achieve this, the Centre is strengthening the EV ecosystem through investments in charging infrastructure, battery manufacturing, research and skill development,” the minister said, urging consumers to shift to EVs to reduce dependence on imported petroleum.Speaking at the event, Y Nagi Reddy, vice-chairman and managing director of TGSRTC said the corporation will induct 2,200 electric buses under Centre’s PM E-Drive scheme. “While 800 buses will hit the streets by Dec this year, the remaining 1,400 will be operational by next Dec,” he said, at the launch of Hyderabad-based EV company, Keto Motors’ first commercial nine-metre electric bus in partnership with Taiwan’s Tron Energy. Reddy added that currently, TGSRTC operates 1,050 electric buses and aims to fully electrify its Hyderabad city fleet over time.Venkatesh Challa, executive director of Keto Motors pointed out how India’s annual demand for electric buses exceeds 10,000. “While manufacturers currently produce almost half of it, there is a significant untapped demand, particularly in the private transport segment that is currently not being addressed,” he said adding how wider EV adoption would require a robust support ecosystem, and urging the govt to expand the charging infrastructure.
