Railways launches policy to make its entire fleet electric

Indian Railways has launched a policy to replace its entire fleet of vehicles that run on diesel, biofuels or even natural gas with electric vehicles by December 2025, which will aid the Union government’s ambitious plan to make India a 100% electric vehicle nation by 2030. Under the policy, a vast charging infrastructure would be created at major railway stations, office buildings and parking lots. India needs to set up 46,000 EV charging stations by 2030 to match the global benchmark. According to the timeline proposed by the railways for the zones, the target is for installing EV charging stations and phasing out 20 per cent of its fossil fuel fleet by December 2023, 60 per cent by 2024 and 100 per cent by 2025. The replacement of the inspection vehicles in the divisional offices and the attached units would not be mandatory in the initial phase of three years since the vehicles would be required by officials for visits to far-flung areas, where adequate charging infrastructure may not be available. The railways will also create an affordable and accessible charging infrastructure for users, including passengers, visitors and the general public, on its premises. The general managers of the zonal railways have been asked to advise their officers to identify and demarcate parking spaces in office complexes and station premises for the installation of EV charging facilities. See also: SCR electrifies stretch between Khanapur-Latur Road rail stationsIndian Railways allows LNG transportation