Government think tank NITI Aayog and Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) launched an initiative — Shoonya — to promote zero-pollution delivery vehicles by working with consumers and industry.

Significance of this campaign

• Transitioning to clean transportation is critical as India continues to move forward towards a sustainable and resilient future. 

• Competitive economics and available technology support the full electrification of India’s urban delivery fleets on an accelerated timeline, which will create tailwinds for other market segments to follow.

• Urban freight vehicles account for 10 per cent of freight transportation-related CO2 emissions in India, and these emissions are expected to grow by 114 per cent by 2030. 

• EVs emit no tailpipe emissions, which can contribute immensely to an improved air quality. 

• Even when accounting for their manufacture, they emit 15-40 per cent less CO2 compared to their internal combustion engine counterparts and have lower operational cost. 

Highlights of Shoonya campaign:

• The campaign — Shoonya — aims to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in the urban deliveries segment and create consumer awareness about the benefits of zero-pollution delivery.

• Initially, close to 30 companies including Mahindra Electric, Tata Motors, Zomato, Ashok Leyland, Sun Mobility, Lightning Logistics, Big Basket, Bluedart, Hero Electric, and Swiggy among others attended the kick-off meeting chaired by NITI  Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant.

• Subsequently, additional industry players will be invited to join the initiative.

• As part of the campaign, a corporate branding and certification programme is being launched to recognise and promote industry’s efforts towards transitioning to EVs for final-mile deliveries. 

RMI India is an independent think-and-do tank that works with diverse stakeholders. It takes inspiration from and collaborates with RMI, a 40-year-old non-governmental organisation. RMI India’s mission is to accelerate India’s transition to a clean, prosperous, and inclusive energy future.

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