In efforts to make its contribution in reducing carbon-dioxide emissions, the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) has announced to provide its chief general managers with electric vehicles (EVs).
The EVs will be replacing petrol-driven vehicles.
The first lot of 22 electric vehicles, of the brand Tigor and made by Tata Motors, was handed over to Anirban Dasgupta, director in charge of the BSP, by Nitul Sharma, zonal manager of the company.
The BSP spokesperson said as many as 42 electric vehicles would be taken on lease for use by offices of chief general managers, making it one of the largest such acquisitions by any public-sector undertaking in the country.
Dasgupta said the electric vehicles were a big step in the organization’s journey towards eco-friendly transport.
“The sooner we adopt EVs, the better it is not only for the environment but also for a future which is free from petroleum dependency,” he added.
SAIL-BSP has taken measures over the years towards green technology and sustainability.
In line with global initiatives to adopt green measures for reducing carbon emission and to combat climate change, the steel plant has formulated an action plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 1.98 T/TCS (tonne per tonne of crude steel) from the present rate of 2.58 T/TCS by 2030.
While a number of green-technology initiatives are in the pipeline to achieve this target, efforts to bring down carbon-dioxide emission in its core steel-making operation would be complemented by other actions.
For every kilometre travelled, an average medium-sized diesel or petrol car emits 0.14-0.16 kg of carbon dioxide, the spokesperson said, adding that in a lifetime of a medium-sized diesel/petrol car, emission is estimated to be about 24 tonnes.
On average, a medium-sized EV will emit about 6 tonnes less.