Bhubaneswar, May 14: The Odisha government is set to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across the state, with plans to convert government vehicles and public transport fleets into EVs in a phased manner. Announcing the move, Odisha Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena said all officials will gradually shift to electric vehicles, while the entire fleet of OSRTC buses will also be transformed into EVs in the coming days.Speaking on the initiative, the minister said he would personally begin using an EV from today and stressed that austerity measures should begin at an individual level. He informed that nearly 50 percent of vehicles used by every government department will be converted into EVs in phases.To strengthen EV infrastructure, the state government has planned to establish 100 EV charging stations across Odisha. The responsibility for setting up the stations has been assigned to a power distribution agency. So far, work on 30 charging stations has already been completed, including 15 in Bhubaneswar alone. The minister assured that there would be no shortage of charging infrastructure in the state.He further revealed that Odisha plans to have a total of 192 charging stations in the future, adding that preliminary discussions with EV charging station companies have already been completed.Highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of EV adoption, the minister said both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi are keen on promoting the use of electric vehicles. He noted that EV usage would help protect the environment while also reducing fuel expenses.The minister also pointed out that the Chief Minister has already reduced the size of his vehicle convoy by half and said other ministers would follow similar measures. “From today, I will travel in an EV and use only one vehicle. If required, I will travel by bus or train,” he said, adding that the government is committed to practising what it preaches.
Odisha to convert 50% government vehicles Into EVs
