Kolkata : India Clean Air Network and SwitchON Foundation, in
partnership with the Tollygunge Auto Union, organized a roundtable discussion
on the transition of auto drivers to electric vehicles (EVs). The event aimed
to assess the interest, challenges, and concerns of auto drivers in adopting a
more sustainable mode of transportation. The discussion brought together key
stakeholders, including auto unions, university professors, and mobility
experts, to explore the opportunities and solutions for encouraging electric
vehicle adoption among auto drivers.
The roundtable was attended by Mr. Rabin
Bijali, Secretary of the Tollygunge Auto Union; mobility expert Mr. Sanjiv
Gopal, Mr. Siddharth Srinivas, Mr. Achuthan from Asar Social Impact joined the
session virtually, Professors from the Mechanical Engineering Department;
E-auto dealers; and auto drivers from Kolkata. Participants acknowledged that
transportation is a major contributor to air pollution in the city,
underscoring the need to transition from petrol, LPG, and CNG-powered vehicles
to cleaner electric alternatives.
Mr. Ajay
Mittal, Executive Consultant of SwitchON Foundation and Co-Chairperson of India
Clean Air Network, emphasized the importance of equipping auto drivers with
knowledge and resources. He stated, "Empowering
auto drivers with the necessary knowledge and tools to transition to electric
vehicles is the core focus of this workshop. Understanding their challenges and
working collaboratively with stakeholders will help create a supportive ecosystem,
ensuring a smooth and cost-effective transition."
The team
leader of the EV department from a renowned auto industry said, “The vehicle
developed by our company has been
develop to benefit all the customers and is well equipped with latest
technology which has 9kw battery with 5 years warranty on battery and other
parts to support for long service.”
Auto-rickshaws play a crucial role in
urban transport across India. In Kolkata, there are 125 registered routes and
over 11,000 permits, according to the Transport Department (2017). Despite
their significance, these three-wheelers are a major source of urban air
pollution. According to a 2020 report by The Energy and Resources Institute
(TERI), autos contribute 11% of particulate matter in Kolkata’s air. Since
2015, the city has been classified as a non-attainment area under the National
Clean Air Program (NCAP) due to high pollution levels. To mitigate these
emissions, the transition to electric auto-rickshaws is a critical step.
However, challenges such as public acceptance, infrastructure readiness, and
cost barriers continue to hinder widespread adoption. Presently, Kolkata has
approximately 3,500 electric vehicles, with projections indicating an increase
to over 355,000 by 2030, as per a 2024 article on parking digitization and EVCI
trends by Tirthankar Basu.
An auto driver
currently operating an electric vehicle (EV) auto on the Tollygunj route said, “The EV auto
is a very good vehicle. I used to drive a CNG auto, and waiting in line to
refuel was very tiresome. With the EV, I can easily charge without the hassle
of queuing. I have traveled 200 km in the auto very easily and conveniently.”
Concerns About E-Autos & Why Some
Prefer CNG-The study also revealed key concerns among auto drivers regarding
the shift to electric vehicles. The primary reasons for preferring CNG over
e-autos include:
- 70% of surveyed auto drivers find that the
shorter refuelling time of CNG is a major advantage.
- 29% prefer CNG due to its better availability of
refuelling stations.
- 32% of respondents see battery breakdowns as a
significant concern with e-autos.
- 27% of surveyed auto drivers cite the
unavailability of sufficient charging stations across Kolkata as a major
issue.
- 21% believe that the longer charging time of
e-autos is a drawback.
- 20% are concerned about the shorter battery range
of e-autos compared to CNG autos.
These findings highlight the
infrastructural and technological improvements needed to make electric autos a
more viable and convenient option for auto drivers in Kolkata.
Mr. Rabin
Bijali, Secretary of the Tollygunge Auto Union, expressed optimism about the
shift to EVs. He stated, "I am
truly excited about the prospects of transitioning to electric vehicles. This
workshop has provided us with crucial knowledge about government subsidies and
policies for EV adoption. We now recognize that this shift will not only reduce
our operational costs but also contribute to a cleaner environment."
The event aimed to promote proactive and
practical strategies for encouraging electric auto adoption in Kolkata.
Discussions covered critical aspects such as charging infrastructure,
government incentives, and advancements in EV technology, helping participants
gain a deeper understanding of the transition process.
India Clean Air Network and SwitchON
Foundation also released a study titled "A
Shift Towards Sustainable Transportation: Willingness of Kolkata’s Auto Drivers
to Embrace E-Autos." This research, conducted across Tollygunge
Metro, Garia, Ruby, Ballygunge, and other areas, provided a broad regional
perspective. A total of 453 responses were collected using purposive sampling,
exceeding the sample size required for a 95% confidence level. The survey,
conducted between June 5 and June 6, 2024, explored the feasibility of
replacing CNG auto-rickshaws with zero-emission alternatives and assessed the
willingness of drivers to transition to eco-friendly fuels.
Key findings from the study revealed that
71% of surveyed auto drivers were willing to switch to CNG autos, while 29%
showed a preference for e-autos. The primary factors influencing the decision
to adopt EVs included lower fuel expenses (39%), government incentives (31%),
and environmental considerations (30%).
The roundtable discussion and research
findings mark an important step toward a more sustainable urban transport
system in Kolkata. By fostering awareness and addressing challenges,
initiatives like these will help accelerate the adoption of electric mobility,
benefiting both the environment and auto drivers in the long run.
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