EVs Power India’s Clean City Revolution: Chennai, Guntur & Indore Lead Sustainable Waste Drive

TIT Correspondent
info@impressivetimes.com

New Delhi, 17 June: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is focusing not only on making cities clean and smart but also on efficient waste management. Moving forward with determined steps towards a clean and green India, cities are undergoing a transformation. Electronic vehicles are proving effective in managing waste in three major cities of the country. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission, cities are heading towards significant changes.

Through electric mobility, renewable energy, and digital technologies, not only is door-to-door waste collection being carried out, but the Urban Development Ministry is also playing a vital role in spreading awareness about cleanliness among the public. Waste is being managed using electric vehicles in three cities of the country.

In Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, over 200 electric autos are being used for door-to-door waste collection. Similarly, the Greater Chennai Corporation is using 5,478 battery-operated electric rickshaws for waste collection across the city. The Indore Municipal Corporation has replaced traditional diesel-powered trucks with 100 electric vehicles for door-to-door waste collection — a transformational step towards environmental sustainability and operational efficiency.

Chennai Covers Over 2.1 Million Households with 5,478 EVs

The Greater Chennai Corporation is effectively using battery-operated electric rickshaws across the city for waste collection. Replacing diesel vehicles with e-rickshaws reduces nearly 41 tons of carbon emissions per day — equivalent to an annual reduction of 15,160 tons. Currently, 5,478 e-rickshaws serve in 15 zones, covering 24,621 streets and more than 2.1 million households.

In Guntur, EV autos equipped with GPS tracking reach across 159.46 square kilometers for door-to-door collection. This initiative eliminates the need for over 71,000 liters of diesel annually, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Over a decade, it is estimated to reduce 21,000 tons of emissions — a major support in tackling climate change and improving air quality.

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Use of EVs Enhances Environmental Protection: Manohar Lal

Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, stated that electric vehicles not only enhance environmental protection but also promote the adoption of EVs. These vehicles have separate compartments for wet, dry, and hazardous waste — a major step towards environmental awareness among citizens. Uniquely, the e-rickshaws are equipped with audio systems that play songs and public information messages to educate people about waste management.

In Indore, switching from diesel to electric vehicles is expected to save approximately ₹5.97 crore annually. The municipal corporation has established 20 solar charging stations, each equipped with 10-kilowatt solar panels, capable of generating 800–1000 units of green energy daily.