Indian Army Plans To Induct Electric Vehicles At “Peace Posts”

The Army has set in place a road map to induct electric vehicles (EVs) wherever practicable, taking into account operational obligations, which will reduce reliance on fossil fuels, according to the Indian army.

"With the requirement and employability of EVs over different terrains in mind, the Army will gradually equip a few units located in peace posts with EVs. Around 25 per cent of light vehicles, 38 per cent of buses and 48 per cent of motorcycles in select units and formations will be converted to EVs with suitable charging infrastructure,” according to a source.

The source stated that the Army was also acquiring EVs across the capital route and according to plans, the existing bus shortage would be filled by procuring electric buses for chosen peace establishments for early exploitation and an open tender enquiry for the acquisition of 60 electric buses as well as 24 fast chargers would be issued soon.

According to officials, stations such as Delhi Cantonment have already created charging stations to support EVs leased or inducted later and a number of charging stations were also open to civilians at Delhi Cantt.

The necessary support infrastructure is also being built as part of the overall strategy to enable a successful EV ecosystem. This includes electric circuit cables and transformers with a sufficient load-carrying capacity based on the expected number of EVs per station. Solar panel-powered charging stations are also being phased in to reduce the carbon impact of these EVs to near zero.

In accordance with worldwide efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India would achieve carbon neutrality by 2070 and cut emissions by half by 2030.