“Transportation is the backbone of a country and it significantly impacts socioeconomic conditions”, said Kusum Rathore, Additional Transport Commissioner of Rajasthan. She was speaking at a roundtable discussion on “Supporting the Transition to a Low-carbon, Affordable, and Inclusive Transport System in Peri-urban and Rural Areas,” where researchers and industry experts gathered to discuss sustainable mobility solutions in Rajasthan. Rathore also emphasised the need for accessible and affordable electric vehicles (EVs) for both private and public transport.
Sunil Bhatnagar, CXO, IPL Tech Electric, highlighted the ongoing EV revolution, stressing that the challenges faced by individual companies should not be viewed as industry-wide issues.
Deepti Mathur, Superintending Engineer at JVVNL, discussed the role of smart meters in monitoring domestic EV charging, helping to optimise energy usage and ensure efficient integration into the grid.
S K Saroj, Chairman of the Federation of Electric Vehicle Association, underscored the importance of increased financial support and retrofitting to assist middle-class vehicle owners in transitioning to EVs.
Neha Sakka, Junior Engineer at JVVNL, noted the high EV penetration in Rajasthan and raised important concerns, such as battery hazards, the gender impact on EV adoption, and the need for retrofitting to accommodate the growing demand.
Gaurav Chaudhary, Founder of ECR Mobility, pointed out that raising awareness of EVs in rural areas could be a game-changer, in creating job opportunities, improving health outcomes, and addressing air pollution issues.
Manish Sharma, Director, EVEX, discussed how, despite growing enthusiasm for EVs, challenges such as lack of bank financing and high-interest rates continue to hinder widespread adoption.
Ajay Yadav, Founder President of the Renewable Energy Association of Rajasthan, argued that EVs will only be genuinely low-carbon when the grid is powered by 50-60% renewable energy. He called for a focus on retrofitting, decentralised grids, and integrating solar energy into EV charging stations.
Soham Kulkarni, Researcher at the Centre for Energy, Environment and People, emphasised the importance of state utility capabilities and inclusive transport planning to ensure that the needs of all communities are met.
M S Rathore, Director of the Centre for Environment and Development Studies, stressed the need to integrate the environmental cost of EVs into the broader conversation to avoid greenwashing and ensure genuine sustainability.
D D Agarwal of Samta Power emphasised the importance of changing vehicle use patterns to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Punit Soni of Aravali pointed out the unsustainable nature of using coal to charge EVs, calling for improved DISCOM connectivity and a greater emphasis on renewable energy sources.
V K Gupta, Independent Consultant, acknowledged the market potential of EVs, predicting that cost reductions will occur over time as the industry matures and scales.
Ashok Kumar Navriya, Vice President of the E-Rickshaw Welfare Association of Rajasthan, highlighted the need for better battery recycling awareness to mitigate the environmental impact of EVs.
James Chakwizira emphasised the importance of stakeholder engagement in optimising knowledge across the EV industry, particularly through infrastructure improvements, subsidies, and proactive government actions.
The Roundtable Dialogue was attended by Kusum Rathore, Additional Transport Commissioner, Transport Department of Rajasthan; Sunil Bhatnagar, CXO, IPL Tech Electric; Deepti Mathur, Superintending Engineer, JVVNL; Neha Sakka, Junior Engineer, JVVNL; Gaurav Chaudhary, Founder, ECR Mobility; S K Saroj, Chairman of the Federation of Electric Vehicle Association; Manish Sharma, Director, EVEX ; James Chakwizira and others.