Delhi plans to introduce 7-seater electrical vans for congested areas to enhance connectivity
The Delhi authorities is exploring a plan to introduce seven-seater electrical vans, on the traces of the Gramin Sewa community, to enhance last-mile connectivity choices in areas the place typical buses can’t function, officers of the transport division mentioned on Thursday.
In response to the main points shared, the plan is at a preliminary stage and the federal government plans to ask operators and electrical automobile (EV) producers to counsel the make and mannequin of automobiles suited to the aim.
Additionally Learn| Delhi CM Rekha Gupta launches EV subsidy portal, inaugurates Mango Competition at Dilli Haat
“We’re exploring an EV-based shared mobility mannequin just like Gramin Sewa for last-mile connectivity. The concept is to introduce small electrical automobiles that may comfortably function in slim lanes whereas offering reasonably priced shared transport.
The automobile specs are but to be finalised and stakeholders will be capable to counsel appropriate fashions,” an official mentioned.
The automobiles could also be operated by the federal government or government-certified non-public operators, the official mentioned. The proposed automobiles would function on fares decrease than the present shared public transport service and would operate as a feeder service with a number of choose and drop factors, slightly than point-to-point taxis.
The service is aimed toward bridging connectivity hole between residential neighbourhoods, Metro stations and main bus corridors, notably in unauthorised colonies, village clusters and densely populated localities with slim roads.
Amit Bhatt, India head of the Worldwide Council on Clear Transportation (ICCT), mentioned, “The electrification of paratransit is a vital step as a result of these providers play an important function in city mobility, offering first-, last-, and even main-mile connectivity in areas the place typical buses can’t function effectively.
Introducing electrical seven-seater vans can increase entry to reasonably priced transport whereas lowering native air pollution.”
Officers mentioned that the initiative can also be anticipated to test the speedy mushrooming of e-rickshaws throughout Delhiby introducing a structured permit-based feeder service to manage and cap the variety of e-rickshaws.
Nevertheless, this may require amendments to the present industrial automobile allow norms earlier than the scheme may be rolled out.
The proposal builds on the federal government’s broader efforts to strengthen last-mile connectivity. Delhi has been increasing its fleet of electrical feeder buses underneath the DEVi (Delhi EV Interconnector) programme and has additionally proposed induction of smaller seven-metre electrical buses for congested stretches.
It additionally aligns with the federal government’s just lately notified EV Coverage 2026which seeks to speed up the transition to electrical mobility throughout public and industrial transport.
