From March, book an e-scooter for short-distance travel in Delhi

NEW DELHI: After smart bikes, New Delhi Municipal Council is planning to introduce an e-scooter sharing system by next March. The civic body will provide close to 1,000 electric scooters to commuters travelling a short distance under its jurisdiction and plans to set up 80 e-vehicle charging points.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ consultation on the draft electric vehicle policy on Tuesday, NDMC chairman Naresh Kumar said the civic body was trying to fulfil its duty in the fight against pollution and electric vehicles were a solution for the future.

“It is still in the planning stage and we will hold a meeting on December 26. However, we plan to make 1,000 e-scooters operational by the end of the financial year and 100 locations could be covered under it,” said Kumar.

The sharing system will be based on the Smart Bike model, though e-scooters will help people travel a longer distance. “People prefer bicycles for short distance. However, for over 2 kilometres, e-scooters can be more viable,” said an official.

NDMC has studied similar models abroad and picked up examples from China and Spain for the charging infrastructure. “Eighty charging points, out of which 20 are fast ones, will be provided and we will also consult the Centre’s electric vehicle policy to decide what kind of charging points will be suitable here,” said Kumar at a roundtable session, which was attended by Delhi transport commissioner Varsha Joshi.

The council is already giving cycle-sharing a major push with plans to make cycle-friendly tracks, starting from Barakhamba Road. Over 300 Smart Bikes are in use at 25 stations, and NDMC plans to add another 500 by the next financial year. Anybody can use the facility by registering on the council’s app, NDMC 311.