Indian Army Discloses Plans to Use EVs for Selected Units

Indian Army announced to replace its normal vehicles with electricity powered vehicles for some selected units. Not so long after the Indian railways decided to replace its vehicle fleet with electric vehicles, Indian Army also announced to the same. This step has been taken to promote the government overall idea of reducing the carbon emission from vehicles. It will take place in a phased manner and 25 per cent light vehicles, 38 per cent buses and 48 per cent motorcycles in selected units will be replaced.

According to some of the Army officials, various issues like Indian Army's employability, remote locations of employment and operational commitments were pondered upon before taking this initiative.

"The Indian Army has put into plan a roadmap to induct EVs wherever possible, considering the operational commitments which will significantly reduce carbon emissions de pendency on fossil fuels," said an official.

A detailed roadmap is designed while taking care of all the requirements of Indian Army to induce the EV ecosystem in the army.  Necessary infrastructure development, like charging stations, will also be done for fluent operations.

"These EV charging stations will have at least one fast charger and two to three slow chargers. Electric circuit cables, transformers with adequate load bearing capability based on anticipated number of EVs per station will be put into place," the official said.

Taking the sustainability measures to another level Army is also planning to power charging station with the solar power wherever possible.

"The Army is also procuring EVs through the capital route. As per plans, the existing shortage of buses will be fulfilled by procuring electric buses for select peace establishments for initial exploitation," said the official.

An initial tender for procurement of 60 buses along with 24 fast chargers will soon be floated, he added.

There is a dire need of shifting the focus from traditional fuel based vehicle as they emit high level of harmful gases and are non-renewable any sooner. Electric vehicles will not only be helpful in reducing the dependency on fossil fuels, but will help to limit the pollution too.

In April, various models of electric vehicles from the prominent manufacturers have been demonstrated to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Biggest auto manufacturers like Tata Motors, Perfect Metal Industries (PMI) and Revolt Motors participated in the demonstration event.

Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane, in the demonstration event expressed his believes that the future in transportation is EVs and Indian Army has to be a torch bearer and lead the way in adoption of this technology even if the world armies are still only contemplating introduction of EVs.

Government’s policy of FAME I & II have given tremendous boost to infrastructure development for sustaining the EV ecosystem in India. Setting up of EV charging stations has been de-licensed by the Government to facilitate the EV adoption.