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The Delhi government is preparing to open the door to using privately owned electric vehicles as shared taxis, a move that could significantly expand the city’s app-based mobility ecosystem as well as boost EV adoption.
Private EVs set to enter shared taxi sector
According to PTI, the proposal was discussed in a meeting chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta with major cab aggregators and vehicle manufacturers. Companies including Ola, Uber and Rapido indicated that they are ready to launch shared taxi services in the capital within the next month.
As part of the plan, the aggregators also said they intend to launch shared rides operated by women drivers, pitching the initiative as both a mobility- and safety-focused expansion. The companies told the government that they are keen to include BS-VI compliant vehicles as well as privately owned electric vehicles on their platforms. However, he said existing rules would need to be amended to allow private EVs to legally operate as taxis.
Gupta assured companies that the government, in principle, is ready to make necessary rule changes in the coming days, while underlining that passenger safety standards must be strictly enforced. Officials said aggregators have agreed to comply with security requirements as a pre-condition for the rollout.
(Also Read: GRAP III restrictions lifted: Can I now drive my BS4 diesel vehicle in Delhi-NCR?)
Focus on shared mobility and congestion reduction
The Chief Minister also suggested that companies explore shuttle-style services on high-traffic corridors like the Ring Road as well as airport-connected routes to reduce congestion caused by single-person vehicles. Integrating e-rickshaws into aggregator platforms was another idea discussed as part of the broader shared mobility promotion.
The meeting, attended by representatives of automakers including Tata Motors, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Toyota and Honda, focused on reducing the number of private vehicles on Delhi roads. Gupta stressed that curbing transport-related pollution will not be possible without a shift towards shared and electric mobility.
Automakers highlighted the need for stronger charging infrastructure and a more people-centric EV policy to support large-scale deployment. In response, the government said it was willing to provide land facilities for charging stations, while asking companies to explore renewable energy options and ensure proper battery waste management.
The government has asked companies to submit timelines to meet demand across the city, indicating that the shared electric taxi model could soon move from proposal to pilot stage.
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