In an effort to promote eco-friendly transport, India's first electric tax service was launched in Hyderabad on Monday. Five e-taxis were flagged off by the city mayor on the World Environment Day.
The taxis will operate from different parts of the city to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad. This is an effort by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to promote electric vehicles in the twin cities to check the growing air pollution.
The e-taxis have been launched by Green Mile, an electric vehicle infrastructure start-up company working towards sustainable transportation.
"To begin with, five e-taxis have been launched on a pilot basis today. Within next one month, we will operate a fleet of 25 e-taxis. We have two charging stations in the city and plan to open a total of 25 charging stations over the next one year," Green Mile director V. Siddharth said.
There are plans to have more number of e-taxis from various locations like shopping complexes and universities, but a decision will be taken after assessing the public response.
"Diesel taxis emit exhaust fumes equivalent of 25 private diesel cars while electric vehicles emit zero tailpipe emissions," Siddharth said. The e-taxis and charging stations will now offer the perfect green alternative for a cleaner and greener Hyderabad.
At the International Airport at Shamshabad the company has tied up with GMR Group for establishing a charging station.
As the Centre is committed to making Indian transport system run on electricity to make it non-polluting by 2030, it is providing incentives for the purchase of such vehicles, but the e-taxis cost around Rs 14 lakh each without subsidy. They will run on a battery which, once charged, keeps the vehicle going for a distance of 90 km to 100 km. After every 100 km, the battery has to be recharged.