IESA urges government to mandate EV purchases for second family vehicles

On National Pollution Prevention Day, the Indian Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) has submitted recommendations to the government to make electric vehicle (EV) purchases mandatory for second family vehicles. The organization also calls for stronger action to replace diesel generators (DGs) with green storage solutions in commercial and industrial establishments to address the growing air pollution crisis in India.

Recent studies highlight that over one million lives are lost annually in India due to air pollution, with particulate matter (PM 2.5) being a significant contributor to severe health risks. According to Swiss technology firm IQAir, Delhi has become the second most polluted city in the world, with air quality index (AQI) levels reaching 1000-1200 in certain regions. In response, IESA has recommended stricter policies to tackle air pollution and reduce reliance on polluting energy sources.

In 2019, the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) to reduce particulate matter in the air by 30% by 2024. One of the findings of the program identified that stationary diesel generators contribute 18% to urban air pollution. Last year, the Commission for Air Quality Management restricted the use of diesel generators in processions and certain industrial and commercial areas in Delhi NCR, recommending their use only as a backup. However, the lack of reliable power supply has hindered the effective enforcement of this restriction.

IESA President, Debi Prasad Dash, commented on the ongoing issue of rising air pollution in India, particularly in Delhi, and emphasized the need to minimize the use of conventional fuel. He also stressed the importance of promoting electric mobility to reduce pollution. To further curb emissions, Dash proposed that the government mandate electric vehicles as second vehicles for families, limiting the number of conventional fuel-based vehicles per household.

IESA also suggested that commercial and industrial establishments, especially in Delhi, replace diesel generators with Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and other advanced energy storage technologies. This shift could be implemented in sectors such as hotels, hospitals, shopping malls, and complexes, with a Public Service Layer (PSL) system for BESS replacing traditional diesel generators. PSL systems have been successfully implemented in other global cities and could be adapted to improve energy efficiency and reduce air pollution in India.

Additionally, IESA recommended that both central and state governments adopt and monitor the implementation of energy storage systems in commercial and industrial infrastructure. They proposed a green building code requiring BESS backup with rooftop solar options, similar to the Green Telecom mandate by TRAI, to enhance energy sustainability in urban areas. 

This approach, focused on advanced energy storage technologies and transitioning from diesel generators to green storage solutions, could be an effective step towards reducing air pollution and promoting cleaner energy usage in India’s metro cities.