Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal launches ‘Switch Delhi’ campaign to promote electric vehicles to combat pollution
Appealing delivery chains and big companies, resident welfare associations, market associations, malls and cinema halls, he said electric vehicles should be promoted and charging stations should be set up at their premises.
FollowIn a bid to reduce pollution as Delhi’s air quality ranging in severe category, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday launched the ‘Switch Delhi’ campaign to promote electric vehicles and appealed to people to buy such vehicles to combat pollution in the city.
Kejriwal said his government will use and hire only electric vehicles for various purposes in the next six weeks.
Appealing delivery chains and big companies, resident welfare associations, market associations, malls and cinema halls, he said electric vehicles should be promoted and charging stations should be set up at their premises.
“I also want to appeal to the youth to buy an electric vehicle as their first vehicle.” He appealed to people to make the campaign a mass movement.
Kejriwal further added that it’s high time now to implement it with commitment, as Delhi government’s electric vehicle policy is considered one of the best in the world.
“In ‘Switch Delhi’ campaign, awareness will be created about benefits of electric vehicles and how it can contribute to making Delhi clean and pollution free. I appeal to people to take part in the campaign to promote replacement of polluting petrol and diesel vehicles with electric vehicles and make contribution towards a pollution-free Delhi,” he said.
The Delhi government under its electric vehicle policy, has planned extensive subsidies on purchase of electric two-wheelers and four-wheelers, besides waiving road tax and registration charges, he said.
More than 6,000 electric vehicles have been purchased since the policy was launched in August 2020. The government has also issued tenders for setting up 100 charging stations across the city, Kejriwal said.
The government has fixed an ambitious target of 25% electric vehicles among total vehicle registrations in Delhi by 2024, he added.
(With inputs from agency)
