SHILLONG, July 13: A recent study titled “Assessing Electric Vehicles Demand and Planning Charging Network in Shillong City” has underscored the need for the Meghalaya government to take decisive steps if it wants citizens to embrace Electric Vehicles (EVs) over the next 5 to 10 years.
The study, backed by the Asian Development Bank and conducted with support from the state Transport Department, offers evidence-based insights to facilitate the shift from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to sustainable electric mobility, ensuring a greener future for the city.
The Vice President at Ernst & Young LLP, Shobhit Saxena, stated that they have been closely assisting the Transport Department in assessing EV readiness and planning charging infrastructure.
“We have identified the kind of government support required to deploy charging stations and the expected growth in electric mobility demand across Shillong,” he told reporters on Sunday.
He said that the study recommends prioritising policy reforms and identifying strategic locations such as shopping complexes, public and municipal parking spaces, hospitals, and hotels for installing EV fast chargers.
“In total, we’ve proposed 24 key locations across the city to set up fast-charging stations for two-wheelers, four-wheelers, and buses,” Saxena said.
He also suggested a public-private partnership model to monetise these locations, encouraging private players to invest in EV infrastructure while working alongside the government.
The study further identified commercial vehicles and buses as key areas for electrification, noting that currently, no commercial EVs are operating in Meghalaya.
“The future for EVs in Meghalaya is bright. Given India’s net-zero emissions target by 2070, transforming the transport sector is critical, and commercial vehicles are likely to drive this transition,” Saxena stated.
He noted that Shillong has an advantage due to its shared taxi system, such as maxi cabs, which can be effectively transitioned to electric vehicles, giving the EV ecosystem a significant boost.
However, Saxena emphasised the importance of government leadership. “The EV policy allows for conversion of selected fleets, and the government should lead by example by electrifying its own fleet,” he said.
He pointed out that while the state’s transport policy includes comprehensive taxi operation rules, it currently does not include electric variants.
“If EVs are incorporated into the operational rules and our recommendations are implemented, it will significantly improve EV adoption. Once people start seeing EVs on the road, it will build trust in the technology,” he added.
The study estimates that by 2030, Shillong could have around 20,000 electric two-wheelers and 3,000–4,000 electric four-wheelers on the roads. Currently, 118 buses are operating in the city, and that number is expected to rise in line with population growth.
Saxena also revealed that MUDA has placed an order for 50 electric buses, which are expected to arrive within the next six to seven months.
He noted that India has set ambitious EV targets with 100% two-wheeler sales, 30% four-wheeler sales, and 50% commercial vehicle sales by 2030.
While states can set their own goals, he warned that if Meghalaya continues with a “business-as-usual” approach, EV penetration will remain minimal.
“With targeted interventions and serious implementation of our recommendations, we believe a realistic and impactful shift to electric mobility in Shillong is possible,” Saxena said.
