- Sustainability Media company Green TV initiates World EV Day, partnered by many companies including ABB, TATA Motors, Mahindra Electric, Volta, etc. across the globe
- The initiative has been taken to increase e-mobility ownership around the world and to spread awareness about electric vehicles
- More than 60 countries have vowed to be a part of this campaign, Indian manufacturers and users join the celebration
With the advent of electric vehicles, the technology has slowly but gradually started to take hold of the market that understands the need for sustainable and environment-friendly products. To take this idea forward, UK based sustainable media house Green TV collaborates with many corporations across the globe to celebrate World EV Day. The inauguration of this global event, which started out as a pledge campaign for countries all over the world, will be observed every year on 9th September from this year onwards.
This initiative has been taken up to increase the awareness about electric vehicles in various markets and their importance in terms of environment and cost-effectiveness. ABB’s Electrical Business, part of the Swiss-Swedish multinational corporation, Indian automotive multinationals like Tata Motors, Mahindra Electric collaborated with Green TV in increasing the awareness of EVs to Indians and the rest of the world. World EV Day initiative targets the progress and popularity of e-mobility and sustainable transport through a majorly social media-led campaign that has garnered the agreement of more than 60 countries so far. One can start taking an EV Pledge to have their next vehicle, an electric one.
Commenting on this Tarak Mehta, President of ABB Electrification said that 9th September 2020 marks an important milestone in the history of e-mobility with the world’s first EV Day. He added that as a headline partner, ABB is delighted to see so many individuals from around the globe taking positive action by signing the pledge. Although many companies may be quite satisfied with the unfolding of these events, Machine Maker reached out to several people working in the Electric Vehicle Ecosystem in India to understand the sentiment of people on the ground regarding this day.
At least it’s a start, it will create awareness among the uninitiated. The idea of allotting a specific day to the celebration of Electric Vehicle’s, in the sea of all sorts of absurd days that we already celebrate, is a welcome development for most. It creates the perception that ‘something’ is being done.
Sanjay Sheth
Managing Director, Global Enersol
“Of course, it’s a great step”, exclaims Sanket Mankar, a consultant working in ‘Industry 4.0 Technology’ in the energy and sustainability sector, “It depends on how much it impacts the consumer.” Indeed. While firms and other such establishments, already familiar with the technology rejoice at an opportunity to shine, what the consumers actually think about this day, and whether or not they are aware of it, remains to be seen.
There is no doubt that with rising temperatures, fuel prices, and pollution and the decreasing job prospects, EVs will work as a relieving measure. “I think it’s a big enough step for sustainable transport. In terms of social impact, I believe we can get cleaner air as compared to the IC engine era”, notes Khushboo Srivastava, Founder of Coulomb AI. Environmentally friendly vehicles would be a boon for a population that uses cars often and excessively. The concept of car-pooling and other such methods of saving oil and reducing pollution are still restricted to school kids who have no say in the handling of said vehicles.
While most may be content with the step taken towards the adoption of Electric Vehicle’s, some people see it as a weak attempt towards a cause that could’ve been dealt with more maturely and with greater passion. “In India, we have Dog Day, so why not Electric Vehicle Day!”, seethes Victor Shome, Vice President of Sales and Marketing (Electrical Division) at MLR Auto, Hyderabad. Mr. Shome complains that in the past 10 years, Indians have already been acquainted with electric vehicles in the form of E-rickshaws at the lowest level and the electric scooty but there has been zero development apart from that. While Shome agrees that this is a good initiative, he can’t help but be disappointed at the lost opportunities that could’ve resulted in the growth of EVs but were made obsolete due to the lack of proper political and private support. He adds, “the government has focused more on verbal promises that wane over time but not actual implementations of smart policies that would benefit those who work in this field and as well as the consumers”.
In a Linkedin post, Autobot Founder, Ashwini Tiwari wrote that “On this #WorldEVDay, I have taken a pledge to educate and create awareness about #ZeroEmission globally for cleaner and sustainable energy, mobility, and environment”. He with his company for the last three years is working towards educating Indian students and automotive engineers about Electric Vehicle, creating the right skills and knowledge to enhance the industry capability, employability, and growth.
Even though any step in the right direction is a relief, one cannot stop wondering whether this initiative is for the people or private companies looking to boost their sales. This is not the first time when a green stratagem has been proposed and it will not be the last. But while big names like Tata make this scheme glamorous, the shroud over bad decisions made by the government and the bodies handling the Electic Vehicle system in the country remains opaque. The result on whether the World Electric Vehicle Day is a global event made to mask the sufferings of those who are merely working to make ends meet, or ‘the’ movement to force the flow of funds in the Electric Vehicle sector and make our next vehicles electric, is awaited. Until then, this global approach is our hope for more breathable air and silent vehicles.