Soon, at every corner: E-ricks like the ones by SmartE will be able to charge at each Delhi metro station as the drive for cleaner last-mile connectivity intensifies | Photo: News18

Each Delhi metro station must get EV chargers, qQuick to provide e-scooters on rent

Delhi’s Lt. Governor has proposed that each of the city’s 250 metro stations must be equipped with EV charging facilities, to make way for cleaner last-mile connectivity. Electric rickshaws developed by SmartE already ply from a number of stations, and the proposal may be bolstered by qQuick, which has been granted permission by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) to rent out its e-scooters from 4 stations. 

Chandigarh to only register EVs after 2030, plans massive drive to clean up city fleet

The city of Chandigarh has unveiled its draft EV policy, under which it will only register EVs from 2030 onward. The city has India’s highest density of registered vehicles and will replace its buses, taxis, rickshaws and school cabs as part of its drive to clean up the city’s air. The policy also includes several incentives for EV owners, such as free insurance for the first year, dedicated lanes for EV charging and up to 30% subsidy on installation of home chargers.

Electric two-wheeler sales crash by 94%, dismal e-car sales across India

New data suggests electric two-wheeler sales have crashed by 94% in the first six months of FY20 on the back of lower subsidies under FAME II. Year-on-year, sales dropped from 48,671 units to a mere 3,000, as the vehicles have become more expensive than their IC engine counterparts.

Meanwhile, electric cars have posted even poorer numbers, with Gujarat adding only one new unit to its tally of 31,576 in the last six months, while Maharashtra added only 4 units per day against its target of 274. 

Volvo to pay customers to charge their EVs

Volvo is unveiling the new concept of paying its customers to charge the new, all-electric XC40 Recharge crossover for the first year of ownership — starting 2021. The idea is to lower ownership costs for customers, to attract more to buy the new product. Volvo has also said it will launch a new electric model every year up to 2025.

The Swedish manufacturer is one of Europe’s leading automakers to move towards e-mobility, and the new incentive may be replicated by other manufacturers, such as VW, Daimler-Benz and BMW, each of which is investing heavily into the transition as well.