The Kolkata Police has announced 226 electric vehicles to be added to its fleet in order to combat growing diesel prices and to increase the costs of maintaining diesel engines.
The introduction of electric vehicles will enable 200 diesel engines roughly 15 years old to be phased out. The EVs are leased for an 8-year period and divided into traffic, wireless, and other units. At least 78 vehicles will be provided to the traffic police. Currently, 4,000 vehicles are recruited to special law and orders by the Kolkata Police.
A budget of Rs 8.8 crores has been allotted to this effect, and an appointment and procurement process for e-vehicles has also been initiated by the government. In addition, an additional CP has been assigned to coordinate with multiple authorities to ensure that the vehicles arrive on time.
When we talk about the addition of electric cars to the Kolkata Police, we also need to talk about the charging infrastructure. It will set up nine quick charging terminals throughout nine police divisions in the city for this purpose.
According to an officer, EVs use relatively little electricity to charge approximately 90 paise to Re 1 per kilometer, whereas diesel or petrol vehicles cost roughly Rs 8.5 per kilometer, which is extremely expensive by more than 7 times. The costs for maintaining an ICE vehicle ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 per month are also very significant. He further highlighted that the Kolkata Police is planning to save Rs 40 crore over the next eight years by employing electric vehicles.
This initiative by Police in Kolkata is not the only one, since many governments and private sectors adding electric vehicles to their fleets.
Andhra Pradesh to provide 25,000 electric 2Ws for state govt employees
Andhra Pradesh’s New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation (NREDCAP) signed an agreement with the Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), an Indian government company that comes under the Ministry of Power, in July 2021 to offer 25,000 electric two-wheelers in the state of Andhra Pradesh (AP).
Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari made it mandatory to use EVs
Minister of Transport Nitin Gadkari argued in February 2021 that all officials in government ministries and departments would utilize electric vehicles for compulsory purposes. There should be an electric vehicle mandate for all government officials, according to Gadkari.
He also urged Power Minister R K Singh to make it obligatory for officials in his department to utilize electric vehicles. According to him, just using 10,000 electric vehicles in Delhi may save Rs 30 crore every month.
The State government aims to arrange for one lakh of its employees with electric two-wheelers with an EMI deductible from the salary. For the purpose of reducing emissions, the tender was invited by the Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation (TSREDCO). The replacement of government vehicles by electric vehicles has begun already with Delhi, Karnataka, and Chandigarh.
Hyundai Kona Electric SUV joins police fleet
The Gallen cantonal police fleet, a city in Switzerland, has adopted the Hyundai Kona Electric SUV in 2019. There are 13 Konas in the police fleet, 5 of which will be utilized in patrol cars, while the other 8 will be used as ‘civilian’ vehicles.
When they took the decision, they highlighted that Kona was the only electric car that could comply and meet the cantonal police criteria. More than 100 kW of power, a 400+ km driving range, an acquisition price under CHF 50,000 (Rs 34.8 lakh), and the availability of essential units make the Kona an attractive option.
Department of Vadodara Traffic Police Department gets 7 EVs
Additionally, in celebration of 30th National Road Safety Week, the Joy e-bike by the Ward wizard Solutions India Pvt.Ltd handed 7 battery-powered electric cycles and electric scooters to the Vadodara Traffic Police Department as a part of their environmental responsibilities for routine patrolling in order to make Vadodara pollution-free.
