Charging ahead with its agenda for complete electrification, Gujarat government has partnered with Britain to launch the roadmap for transforming Ahmedabad into a “Global EV Lighthouse City” and the web portal for the electrification of vehicles in Gujarat – e-VEG.
British High Commissioner Alex Ellis who met Chief minister Bhupendra Patel, launched these two initiatives the same day.
Minister of State for Transport Harsh Sanghavi was also present during the occasion.
These electric mobility resources have been developed under the aegis of the ‘UK – NITI Aayog – Gujarat knowledge exchange programme’, a release from the high commission said.
“The roadmap represents a phased plan for the city of Ahmedabad to facilitate the implementation of the state’s progressive electric vehicle (EV) policy. The web portal is aimed at helping users and businesses switch to EVs by providing information on available resources such as charging points and the guidance on the latest policy and regulations. Both, the portal and roadmap, have been developed based on international best practice, including learnings from the UK”, it said.
High Commissioner Ellis urged for a shift from “fossil fuels to renewables”.
“Gujarat is already a strong model for electric mobility adoption in India, ranking among the top states in the country for EV sales. I’m confident these excellent new resources will accelerate that transition further, in turn helping create new jobs and bringing new investments”, he was quoted in the statement.
Deputy high commissioner to Gujarat Peter Cook expressed hope to “strengthen collaboration with Gujarat on many other key sectors including higher education and sports.”
In the meeting with CM Patel, Ellis discussed opportunities for deepening collaboration with the state across a broad range of sectors including trade and education.