Abstract:

Owing to the flexibility, convenience, and affordable prices, informal modes of transportation such as auto-rickshaws, e- rickshaws, and cycle rickshaws, etc. form an integral part of the urban transportation system in India. To promote electric mobility in India, auto-rickshaws can play a vital role as front runners. There are four drivers of growth of electric mobility – battery price, demand incentives, supply push, and charging infrastructure. As a proactive policy towards sustainable mobility in urban areas, the Government should actively support the electrification of auto-rickshaws. Financing institutions and the banks may be nudged by the Government for introducing flexible financing models for electric vehicles. Provisions like lower taxes and other reliefs on electric autos are some of the expected steps to be taken by the government to encourage the electrification of motor vehicles.