The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, held the third edition of the Green Plate Electric Vehicle (EV) Rally at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The rally is part of SIAM’s broader “विद्युतीकरण” (Electrification) drive to promote sustainable transportation and shift public perception towards electric vehicles.
Themed “Boosting Customer Confidence in Automotive Electrification,” the event aimed to educate citizens about the economic and environmental benefits of EVs compared to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, while showcasing India’s growing capabilities in electric mobility.
The rally featured 181 electric vehicles representing 18 leading manufacturers, including a mix of two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger cars, commercial buses, and trucks. This wide representation reflected not only the advancements made by India’s automotive sector but also the increasing market readiness and consumer interest in clean mobility options.
The rally was flagged off by Rekha Gupta, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Delhi, who attended as Chief Guest, along with Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Hon’ble Minister for Environment, Forest & Wildlife, Industries, Food & Supplies, Government of Delhi, as Guest of Honour. The event was also attended by senior government officials and key automotive industry figures.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta welcomed EV manufacturers to expand their presence in Delhi, reiterating the government’s ambition to transform the capital’s transport landscape. “Delhi has always been a city of opportunities, attracting people from every corner of the country. To serve this growing population, we are addressing pollution and mobility gaps head-on. We aim to ensure that every third vehicle in Delhi is electric and are targeting full electrification of public transport by 2026,” she said. She also urged residents to actively support this shift, encouraging them to choose EVs for cleaner air and a healthier city.
Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa echoed this sentiment and thanked SIAM for taking the lead in promoting sustainable mobility.“A truly forward-looking nation is one that integrates sustainability into its development journey. India’s net-zero aspirations, as championed by our Prime Minister, depend on how quickly and effectively we embrace green technologies,” he noted.
Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, emphasized the urgency of transitioning to electric transport. “Electric mobility is no longer a futuristic idea; it is central to today’s automotive transformation. Supported by policies and growing infrastructure, EVs are paving the way for a more sustainable and safer transport ecosystem,” he said. He highlighted how the government and industry must continue working together to improve charging networks, offer better vehicle options, and create a favorable regulatory environment to accelerate EV adoption.
The rally featured a dedicated discussion session that brought together high-level stakeholders and subject-matter experts to deliberate on the current landscape and future roadmap of electric vehicle (EV) deployment in India. The session highlighted both the opportunities and the challenges associated with accelerating EV adoption, while emphasizing the importance of collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders, and enforcement agencies.
Among the key panelists were senior government representatives, including Amarendra Kishore Singh, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries; Ajay Chaudhry, IPS, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Delhi Police; Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways; and Niharika Rai, Secretary and Transport Commissioner, Government of NCT of Delhi. Their insights focused on the role of regulatory frameworks, infrastructure development, and enforcement measures in shaping India’s EV ecosystem.
Adding perspectives from the policy and industry side, the panel also included Dr Shikha Juyal, Economist at NITI Aayog; Sushant Naik, Chairman of SIAM Electric Mobility Group; and Rajesh Menon, Director General of SIAM. Together, they addressed the critical need for research-driven policies, stronger industry-government partnerships, and a unified approach to achieving India’s ambitious targets for sustainable mobility. These experts discussed the importance of policy stability, infrastructure expansion, user incentives, and data-driven decision-making to ensure that electric mobility reaches all corners of the country.
