Indian Army to induct EVs

The Indian Army will procure electric vehicles for select units and formations, to be in line with the government’s overall policy of cutting down carbon emissions, officials have said.

The procurement, which will be implemented in a phased manner, will replace 25 percent light vehicles, 38 percent buses and 48 percent motorcycles with EVs in select units. 

According to Autocar India, our sister publication, the officials have said that multiple factors unique to the Army’s usage of vehicles, remote deployment locations and operational commitment were considered before finalising the roadmap for inducting EVs. 

To support the EV ecosystem in the army units, the required support infrastructure, including charging points for EVs, will be put in place. These charging stations will have at least one fast charger and two to three slow chargers. The army is also planning to install solar powered charging stations in a phased manner. 

The army will also resolve the existing shortage of buses by purchasing electric ones for select peace establishments. An initial tender for the procurement of 60 buses and 24 fast chargers will soon be floated, according to the officials. 

In April this year, the Indian Army organised a showcase of available EVs for Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, where manufacturers like Tata Motors and Revolt displayed their models and briefed visitors about the advancements in EV technology.