In a bid to provide better last mile connectivity and to promote electric vehicles in the national Capital to curb pollution level, the Delhi Government has launched ‘Urban Mobility Lab’ in association with the Rocky Mountain University. The lab will promote innovative projects aiming at clean and sustainable mobility solutions in the city. Also, as part of this, the government has announced its first electric vehicles freight pilot with the goal of piloting up to 1,000 electric vehicles (EVs) for urban deliveries in the city over the next 12 months. 

The lab was launched by the Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot and Vice  Chairperson, Dialogue and Development Commission (DDC), Jasmine Shah. The event was attended by seniors’ officials and stakeholder from the government, industry and civil society.

“Delhi government believes electric vehicles (EVs) are the future and it’s time to bring this future into the present. To make life easier and better for the common man, it is critical that the cost of EVs comes down. We are willing to work with all stakeholders in the industry and resolve any hurdles that they face in the roll out of EVs in the city,” said Gahlot.

As part of the Urban Mobility Lab with the goal of piloting up to 1,000 electric vehicles (EVs) for urban deliveries in the city over the next 12 months. It is a first-of-its-kind project with an objective to pilot and rigorously analyse the performance of EVs for urban deliveries.

  “Delhi aims to become the EV capital of India. Electrification of final mile delivery vehicles has the potential to kick-start the transition to EVs in the city. We expect this pilot to pave the way for other market segments and are committed to its success,” said Jasmine Shah. 

Regarding the UML pilot working group Dave Mullaney, Director for RMI’s global freight transport initiative said, “The use of EVs for final mile delivery is ready to take off. The participants who are working with us and their excitement to be on this pilot show that clearly. It is an incredibly exciting group that includes titans of Indian industry, global

e-commerce giants and brand new homegrown startups. We look forward to working with companies and the Delhi Government to make the city a global leader in final mile electrification.”