Kolkata Beats London with its Electric Vehicle Adoption

Kolkata has some of the most diverse varieties of public transport in India. It has the signature yellow cabs, the share autorickshaws, the oldest surviving tram network in Asia, river ferries, app cabs, cycle rickshaws, and many types of bus services, including double deckers.

Lately it has had a fleet of electric vehicles as well. Now we hear that the city's increasing electric mobility options has been noticed elsewhere too.

Kolkata has become the third among six megacities that have been adopting electric mobility faster. In fact the City of Joy is positioned ahead of London in terms of percentage penetration of electric buses, reveals EV City Casebook 2021.

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The study says that Shenzhen is in the top position with 99% of the world&rsquos electric buses plying in China.

In India, Kolkata has the largest fleet of electric buses. That along with the oldest surviving tram network in Asia makes it one interesting city to be in. 

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This report is great news for the environment as well. Studies indicate that nearly one-third of the PM pollutants from Kolkata&rsquos transport come from fuel-powered buses.

To deal with the issue, the state transport authority, West Bengal Transport Corporation (WBTC) has introduced electric buses in the past two years. With more than a 100 in the fleet, the state government wishes to introduce 5,000 such buses by 2030.

In fact, the WBTC, over the past few months, have been making efforts to give a touristy look to the transport sector in Kolkata. After introducing a few special trams (including one with a library), they have now started a boat library.