Workshop to promote EV freight vehicles held in Leh

Leh, Mar 19: In yet another first-of-its-kind initiative in Union Territory of Ladakh, the Transport Department led by Secretary-cum-Transport Commissioner Amit Sharma, organised a half-day workshop on Tuesday to promote EV freight vehicles.

According to a press release, the workshop was to deliberate upon and brainstorm amongst all the stakeholders of transport sector towards promoting the usage of freight vehicles on EV (zero emission vehicles) in the Union Territory of Ladakh with the objective to make it first carbon neutral state/UT of the nation.

Secretary Transport Amit Sharma, in his inaugural address, highlighted the successful completion of E-3 and E-4 Wheelers’ trials conducted in August and September last year. The trial exercise demonstrated that E-3 and E-4 wheeler operations are feasible in Ladakh UT and would result in substantial operating cost reductions for the owners/drivers. Amit further shared that Ladakh is relentlessly working towards its carbon neutrality mission and its initiatives last year were chosen from India for presentation in the United Nation top environment awareness initiative COP-28 held in Dubai last year. He further mentioned that a Memorandum of Understanding is going to be inked soon between NTPC and the Transport Department to dedicate five hydrogen-cell fuel buses to the public of Ladakh which is first such initiative in the nation.

Secretary Transport also talked about the UT Administration’s role in encouraging Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and the Corporates, especially financial institutions active in the UT to establish EV Charging Stations in UT Ladakh as part of their respective Corporate Social Responsibility.

The organisers were requested by Transport Secretary Amit Sharma to organise a EV/ZEV Himalayan Two-Wheel and Four-Wheel Rally here in Ladakh, which shall a novel initiative, in coming peak summer season this year alongwith investors’ meet so as to highlight Ladakh initiatives and steps being taken towards achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This Workshop was attended by ARTO Leh, members of the Transport Association, driving community and leading media persons of UT of Ladakh.