PM bats for clean energy, eco-friendly transport
Pitching for clean energy and environment-friendly transport technology, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for greater investments in manufacturing of electric vehicles and smart charging facilities.
Asserting that mobility powered by clean energy is the most powerful weapon in the fight against climate change, he said the focus must go beyond cars to other vehicles such as scooters and rickshaws. “Congestionfree mobility is critical to check the economic and environmental costs of congestion,” he said, addressing the first Global Mobility Summit ‘MOVE’, organised by government think tank Niti Aayog.
The NDA government has been aggressively batting for usage of electric vehicles; however, affordability of batteries and lack of charging infrastructure in the country are major challenges that it will face before moving any further in this direction.
Noting that mobility is a key driver of the economy, Mr Modi said better mobility reduces the burden of travel and transportation and can boost economic growth. “It is already a major employer and can create the next generation of jobs,” Mr Modi said.
Common public transport must be the cornerstone of mobility initiatives, the Prime Minister said, adding that clean mobility powered by clean energy is “our most powerful weapon in our fight against climate change.”