GREEN MOBILITY IS FUTURE

Urban areas have long been hotbeds of pollution, with transportation contributing significantly to harmful emissions. Greening our urban mobility and shifting to public transit is the only solution

Urban areas at global level have a common Feature. They are full of vehicles for moving People and goods. And, the increasing Dependence on fossil-fuel powered vehicles for easy and comfortable transportation is Causing pollution.

As cities continue to face the twin Challenge of population growth and the Threat to environmental sustainability, the issue of transportation comes to Focus. With strategic interventions from Governments and think tanks, an array Of green transportation alternatives is Emerging, offering hope for cleaner, more Sustainable urban mobility. All these Alternatives come with their own set of Challenges. This article tries to feature These alternatives and review how we could Think unconventionally and find a greener Way out.

Greening Mobility

As india emerges as a powerhouse in the global automobile market, its ambitious Stride towards electrification marks a Monumental shift in both its domestic Landscape and global trends in sustainable Mobility. Led by the unwavering Commitment of the indian government To environmental stewardship and fueled By the burgeoning interest of consumers In cutting edge technologies, coupled With proactive engagement from private Entities in ev innovation, the trajectory of Electric vehicles (evs) in india presents a Promising outlook.

With policies incentivizing ev adoption And promoting renewable energy usage, Coupled with the substantial reduction In greenhouse gas emissions and air Pollutants, evs stand as a beacon of Hope for a cleaner, healthier future. This Transition not only addresses immediate Environmental challenges but also lays the groundwork for sustainable development, Echoing a global commitment to mitigate Climate change and prioritize public Well-being.

Promotion of EVs

Electric Vehicles (evs) are being promoted As a prospective solution to reduce The adverse environmental impacts of Excessive use of Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (icevs) on the roads of the cities in different countries and Thereby to control CO2 emissions to a Great extent. Governments worldwide Are incentivizing their adoption through Subsidies, tax breaks, and investment in Charging infrastructure. India too has seen The rise in the sale of electric vehicles and Expansion of supporting infrastructure in The last couple of years.

As many as 80,000 four-wheeled electric vehicles were registered in India in 2023. That may be a small fraction of total vehicles sold but the figure has almost doubled from 2022. The share of EVs has gone up to 6.4 percent from just one percent in the pre-Covid period. But the majority of sales came from the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segment. The share of EVs in new vehicles sold is considerably high in China and Europe; about 23-30 percent. Norway tops the list with 88 percent of EV share. Other top performers include Iceland (70%), Sweden (54%), Denmark (39%), and Finland (38%). The Indian government-set target is a 30 percent EV market share by 2030.

Evs are pocket-friendly as the running Cost of electric vehicles is far cheaper Than conventional cars, though there is A need to reduce the high upfront cost of Electric vehicles. In addition to this, limited Charging infrastructure, range anxiety, Fewer options, and consumer preferences Are still barriers to the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Another challenge Is that evs do not reduce the number of Vehicles on urban roads. Congestion is a big Challenge in our cities. To do this, we need to shift to electric public transit.

Public Transport System

In India, many of the tier-II and tier-III cities are dependent on private transport options such as auto, tempo, and e-rickshaw. Only big cities in some states have reliable public mass transport alternatives such as buses, trams, and trains. It is required that governments, center, state, and local governments assess local requirements and then choose the best mobility option for the city. India has already begun a massive transition to shared electric vehicles in the form of e-rickshaws which can amplify the environmental benefits.

Green mobility is a transformative movement in India, propelling the nation towards a future of sustainable transportation. As the colour of energy shifts from brown to green, the country is embracing electric vehicles (EVs) as a present reality rather than a distant possibility. This shift from internal combustion engines to clean, environmentally-friendly transport is not only necessary but empowering. Green mobility is not only a smart choice for India but may be the only choice to combat climate change. It aims to introduce eco-friendly vehicles with advanced technologies and features to replace existing public transport vehicles.

Kerala introduced amphibious buses after solar ferry. It is an environmentallyfriendly passenger transportation that does not cause air, sound, or water pollution. Kerala’s tourism sector is all set to introduce the amphibious bus service proposed by the state government. As we get from the name itself, these amphibious vehicles (also called duck bus) can travel over land as well as water, and have proved a booming attraction for the tourists abroad. Also, in 2017, Kerala was the first state in India to introduce the solar ferry boat in the Vembanad backwaters.

In conclusion, Green mobility is utilized by adopting sustainable transportation practices and technologies. By embracing a diverse array of green transportation solutions, from EVs and other renewable energy resources to active transportation, cities can chart a path towards a cleaner and more resilient future.

India has already begun a massive transition to shared electric vehicles in the form of e-rickshaws which can amplify the environmental benefits. Last-mile connectivity in India has already become largely green.