Maharashtra partners Rocky Mountain Institute to accelerate e-mobility mission

The government of Maharashtra is speeding ahead with its electric mobility mission, be it in the form of setting up infrastructure, a dynamic EV policy, or inducting e-buses.

As part of its commitment, the Maharashtra government, on Wednesday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) to support adoption and promotion of Electric Vehicles in Maharashtra.

Under the partnership RMI will provide technical support to implement Maharashtra’s recently launched EV Policy. The signing took place in Glasgow, United Kingdom, at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP26).

The Maharashtra EV Policy approved in July this year aims to have a 10 percent share of EVs in total registrations by 2025. It targets conversion of 15 percent of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) fleet into electric by 2025. The policy provides fiscal incentives for EV buyers and for the manufacturers of EVs and EV components along with subsidies for creation of charging infrastructure.

RMI is a 40-year-old non-profit working on clean energy transitions globally. It has been partnering with RMI India, an organisation working on India’s clean energy and mobility issues, to work along public and private sector agencies on electric mobility. In Maharashtra, RMI has already been engaging with city of Pune through its City EV Accelerator platform to make Pune EV-ready.

Aaditya Thackeray, cabinet minister for Environment and Climate Change said: “We look forward to further our partnership on electric mobility, ZEV, hydrogen fuel and decarbonisation our transport sector and urban renewal sector.”

Congratulating the Minister on receiving the Award for ‘Inspiring Regional Leadership from Under2 Coalition for Climate Action’ and his leadership on issues of climate change, Jule Kortenhorst, CEO of RMI highlighted the need to mobilise climate finance and suggested establishment of state-backed Green Investment Bank to help finance Maharashtra’s climate ambitions.

Korternhorst said, “Maharashtra is showing the leadership for climate action by sub-national governments. The size and scale of economic growth in Maharashtra provide it the unique opportunity to leapfrog to clean and modern energy systems and be the role model for sub-national governments, not just in India, but globally.”

Akshima Ghate, senior director, RMI India said, “Maharashtra has notified one of the most progressive sub-national EV policies. RMI India is inspired by the Minister’s vision for 100% electrification of public transport in the state and is looking forward to bringing together RMI and RMI India’s expertise to support state in decarbonizing its transportation sector.”

Going forward, RMI will work with Maharashtra’s State Council on Climate Change to chart out a decarbonisation pathway for the state.