Indian Army to adopt electric vehicles: India’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer Tata Motors and two other EV manufacturers, Perfect Metal Industries (PMI) and Revolt Motors, showcased their electric vehicles to top Indian military leadership, defence ministry said on Friday, as the world’s largest standing army is set to induct electric cars, electric buses and e-bikes in its fleet soon.
“A demonstration of Electric Vehicles (EVs) was given to the defence minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Army Staff Manoj Mukund Naravane and senior officers of the Indian Army in New Delhi on 22 April 2022. Electric Vehicle manufactures from Tata Motors, Perfect Metal Industries (PMI) and Revolt Motors showcased their EVs and briefed about the enhancement in technology and range of operation achieved during the past few years,” the MoD said in a statement.
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Indian Army to adopt electric vehicles
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appreciated the Indian Army‘s initiative to induct EVs and reduce dependency on fossil fuels in line with the Government policies.
Government’s policy of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) I & II have given tremendous boost to infrastructure development for sustaining the EV ecosystem in India.
The government has also done away with the requirement of obtaining a licence for setting up of EV charging stations to encourage adoption of electric vehicles in India.
Officials said Chief of Army Staff, General MM Naravane, believes that the future in transportation is EVs and Indian Army has to be a torch bearer and lead the way in adoption of this technology even if the world armies are still only contemplating introduction of EVs.
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Army looking to procure electric cars, buses and bikes
Based on the directions of the Chief of Army Staff, a Board of Officers was detailed under Director General of Supplies & Transport (DGST) Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Singh Yadav as the Presiding Officer to formulate a definite time bound road map for introduction of EVs in Indian Army.
The Board of Officers has finalized its recommendations and Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Singh Yadav briefed the Chief of Army Staff, Army Commanders & Senior Army officers today about the planned introduction of EVs during the Army Commanders meeting.
As of now, Indian Army is planning to procure EVs in three categories, cars, buses and motorcycles.