EVs Power Clean Cities Under Swachh Bharat Mission

20 Jun 2025 CW Team

In Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, over 200 electric autos have replaced conventional diesel-powered trucks for door-to-door waste collection. Backed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), these EVs — equipped with GPS tracking — cover more than 159 square kilometres. This initiative cuts down diesel use by over 71,000 litres annually, potentially reducing 21,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over ten years.

In Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has deployed 5,478 battery-operated e-rickshaws across 15 zones, servicing over 2.1 million households across 24,621 streets. These e-rickshaws, travelling around 40 km daily, are helping reduce 41 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per day, totalling 15,160 tonnes annually. The programme also generates employment for over 6,000 people. Additionally, onboard audio systems are used to spread awareness about waste segregation and cleanliness.

Similarly, the Indore Municipal Corporation has rolled out 100 e-vehicles for waste collection, replacing diesel trucks and generating estimated annual savings of around Rs 59.7 million. The city has also set up 20 solar-powered charging stations fitted with 10 kW solar panels, capable of producing 800–1,000 units of energy per day, supporting charging for up to 100 vehicles daily.

According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, these initiatives reflect a strong synergy between clean mobility and sustainable waste management, contributing significantly to the country’s climate goals and urban renewal efforts.

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The Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U) is witnessing a major shift as electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly being integrated into municipal waste collection systems. The government announced that the transition to zero-emission EVs in daily garbage collection is revolutionising urban sanitation by reducing carbon emissions, air pollution, and noise, while supporting the mission’s goal of creating garbage-free cities.In Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, over 200 electric autos have replaced conventional diesel-powered trucks for door-to-door waste collection. Backed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), these EVs — equipped with GPS tracking — cover more than 159 square kilometres. This initiative cuts down diesel use by over 71,000 litres annually, potentially reducing 21,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over ten years.In Chennai, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has deployed 5,478 battery-operated e-rickshaws across 15 zones, servicing over 2.1 million households across 24,621 streets. These e-rickshaws, travelling around 40 km daily, are helping reduce 41 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per day, totalling 15,160 tonnes annually. The programme also generates employment for over 6,000 people. Additionally, onboard audio systems are used to spread awareness about waste segregation and cleanliness.Similarly, the Indore Municipal Corporation has rolled out 100 e-vehicles for waste collection, replacing diesel trucks and generating estimated annual savings of around Rs 59.7 million. The city has also set up 20 solar-powered charging stations fitted with 10 kW solar panels, capable of producing 800–1,000 units of energy per day, supporting charging for up to 100 vehicles daily.According to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, these initiatives reflect a strong synergy between clean mobility and sustainable waste management, contributing significantly to the country’s climate goals and urban renewal efforts.

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