Over one million lives are lost annually in India due to air pollution, with particulate matter (PM 2.5) being one of the major causes of severe health risks. According to Swiss technology firm IQAir, Delhi has become the second most polluted city in the world with AQI crossing 1000-1200 in a few regions. As the nation celebrates Pollution Prevention Day, the green mobility industry comes together to bring comprehensive strategy with actions to prevent, control and reduce air pollution.
Presenting his perspective, Sameer Aggarwal, Founder & CEO – Revfin says, “With AQI levels rising alarmingly across India, tackling air pollution has become a national priority. Vehicular emissions are one of the leading contributors to deteriorating air quality, posing severe health and environmental risks. A shift to electric vehicles (EVs) offers a solution to this crisis, significantly reducing air pollutants and improving urban living conditions. However, for this transition to be truly impactful, EV adoption must be made accessible to all.”
“At Revfin, we are committed to this vision by offering inclusive financing solutions that enable individuals and communities to embrace sustainable mobility. On National Pollution Control Day, let us recognize the critical role of EVs in creating a cleaner, healthier future and work together to build an ecosystem that balances environmental responsibility with economic inclusivity,” he adds.
With an aim to reduce the concentration of particulate matter in the air by 30 percent by 2024, the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the National Clean Air Program (NCAP 2019). According to NCAP 2019, stationary diesel generators (DGs) contribute to 18 percent of air pollution in urban areas. Last year, the Commission for Air Quality Management has restricted the use of polluting gensets in processions, and industrial and commercial areas in Haryana and Delhi/NCR and suggested using it as backup. However, there is a lack of normal power supply and this ban was not followed. This issue raises the government’s intervention in the reduction of air pollution.
Leading industry body Indian Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) calls for strict government action to replace diesel generators (DGs) with green storage solutions across commercial and industrial establishments and mandate of EV for second vehicle purchases in a family.
Debi Prasad Dash, President of India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), adds, “The rising air pollution in India is not new, we have been experiencing the severity of this for more than 5 years, especially, in Delhi. We are expecting such issues will come up in other metros of India as well. The use of conventional fuel should be minimized and energy storage can be considered as sustainable backup . However, the government is making efforts to support electric mobility instead of conventional vehicles to reduce pollution, considering the alarming situation in Delhi. The state government should mandate electric vehicles as the second vehicle for the family so that each family can’t have more than 1 conventional fuel-based vehicle.”
“All the commercial and industrial infrastructure in Delhi uses diesel gensets, instead, they can replace it with BESS and other advanced energy storage technologies. Similarly, other options can be adopted. Infrastructures—such as hotels, hospitals, shopping malls, and complexes can begin integrating a Public Service Layer (PSL) system for BESS instead of DGs. Using PSL can help address the problems we are currently experiencing. This approach could benefit Delhi, as various global cities have already started using similar PSL systems,” he further added.
There are underlying difficulties that need attention, particularly for commercial establishments that aim to reduce this issue. Both state and central governments should consider adopting this system, and the central government could be tasked with monitoring its implementation and providing advisory notes. This could also apply to other cities facing similar challenges. Similar to the Green Telecom mandate by TRAI, Local municipalities and state governments can enforce the Green Building code with BESS bac-up with Rooftop solar option could be a game changer for India.
This focus on advanced energy storage technologies and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the commercial and industrial sectors can be a proactive step toward tackling air pollution. By promoting cleaner and more efficient energy usage in metros, this transition from DGs to green storage and BESS solutions at commercial and industrial establishments can be a revolutionary step!