India, the third-highest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, is taking a bold step toward sustainable urban mobility and climate change mitigation. In a bold step toward urban mobility and mitigating climate change, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and JBM Group have signed an INR 3.6 billion (around $45 million) deal to support sustainable transportation in India on Sept. 16. This initiative involves procuring 650 electric buses, which will significantly reduce the country’s carbon footprint while expanding electric bus fleet available in the Indian states of Odisha and Haryana.
According to the United Nations Sustainable Transport Conference in 2021, the transportation industry is responsible for nearly a quarter of global CO2 emissions. Given that India is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and is soon to become the most populous country, it is particularly vulnerable to the environmental and health challenges posed by its high reliance on fossil fuels for transportation.
The country’s focus on electrifying its transportation sector is a critical step toward addressing the environmental costs of traditional fossil-fuel-based mobility.
Suzanne Gaboury, ADB director general for the Private Sector Operations Department said that encouraging electric buses is not just a crucial investment for sustainable transportation, but also in climate change through reduced emissions and in public health through cleaner air. She added that “ADB’s partnership with the JBM Group will help build clean, safe, and inclusive public transport in India.”
An article from Our World in Data in 2020 pointed to transportation as a significant contributor to air pollution and respiratory illnesses. Electric buses can substantially reduce these emissions, offering cleaner, more efficient alternatives to conventional diesel-powered vehicles.
The transition to sustainable transportation in India is also key in bolstering the country’s efforts to meet its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. The procurement of these vehicles will provide a sustainable solution that cuts down on greenhouse gases while improving energy efficiency and reducing operational costs for cities.
While electric buses present numerous benefits, the transition is not without challenges. A white paper from the International Council on Clean Transportation highlights several barriers including decarbonizing the power grid, managing high vehicle costs, and the need for robust policies and infrastructure development. Despite these hurdles, this project will ensure that cities can effectively integrate electric buses into their public transport systems.
Moreover, this initiative also wants to address the gender gap problem in the transportation industry. To encourage more women to participate in non-traditional roles like driving buses, ADB and JBM Group have worked together to build a gender action plan. This includes a specialized driving licensing program, robust safety measures, and a centralized closed-circuit television monitoring system.
Nishant Arya, JBM Group vice chairman said “Over the years, we have been relentlessly working towards introducing zero-emission technologies that underscore our vision of promoting sustainable development which contributes to the responsible growth of the organization and all its stakeholders. He also emphasized that the company has positioned itself as a pioneer in introducing electric mobility solutions in India and has deliberately developed a comprehensive EV ecosystem to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles across various regions.