Global Mobility Summit: Focus on Solar Energy, Electric Vehicles, and Shared Mobility in India

India’s first ever Global Mobility Summit is being held today in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The two day summit called ‘MOVE’ was inaugurated by the honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and is being attended by nearly 1200 of dignitaries from India and across the world. The event organized by NITI Aayog will focus on the use of electric vehicles in India, apart from other issues that will be addressed. The aim of the summit is to provide accessible, zero emission, efficient, affordable and shared modes of transport for Indian citizens.

Steeply falling technology costs and business model innovations are driving the world’s transition to renewable energy and electrical vehicles. Against this backdrop, NITI Aayog in collaboration with various ministries and industry partners, has organized MOVE Global Mobility Summit. This summit is expected to drive the Government of India’s goals for vehicle electrification, renewable energy integration, job growth and help in India’s transition to a clean energy economy. Smart transport and smart cities are also part of the agenda.

“Mobility is in the midst of a major global disruption, and in this as we move from internal combustion engine to electric, shared and connected mobility, in this summit we will look at skills and jobs, technological developments, data analytics, battery and storage, the sharing and the connected world, fuels and green modes of transportation, and issues from walking and cycling to the new goal set by the honorable Prime Minister of making Indians mobile in outer space,” said Amitabh Kant, CEO of NITI Aayog, in the introductory speech.

Some of the steps in infrastructure India is currently taking to improve digitization, increase mobility and reduce pollution are as follows: Building of rural and urban roads for improved connectivity, water ways are being improved as well; India is also aiming at using renewable sources of energy like wind and solar energy to generate a target of 175GW of energy by 2022. To do the same, India has taken the lead to form an International Solar Alliance of 121 countries to efficiently exploit solar energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels; One Nation One Card program to optimize travelling footprint and promote seamless integration with public transportation; 100 smart cities are being developed; Data driven measures like intelligent traffic management systems are being put in place; Major importance is being given to electric vehicles, clean technology and battery manufacture.

“Inclusive multi-modal mobility can change our lives. Today can be the day when we start our own march towards inclusive mobility,” said Anand Mahindra, Executive Chairman of the Mahindra Group. He also emphasized on the need to create a digital platform called ‘MOVE’ in honor of today’s conference, which would be in partnership with public and private entities monitored by an autonomous body, and connect every Indian citizen. He added that India must create this digital platform before Uber or Google gets this idea and the country is left wondering how to challenge the domination by global giants.

Prime minister addressed the gathering as well and said that India’s strength lies in information technology, big data, digital payments and internet enabled shared economy, elements, which are increasingly becoming the drivers of the global future of mobility. “India is on the MOVE, our economy is on the MOVE, our cities and towns are on the MOVE, our reforms are on the MOVE, our youth are on the MOVE, our lives are on the MOVE, India is moving ahead with purpose. My vision for the future of mobility in India is based on 7 C’s: Common, Connected, Convenient, Congestion-free, Charged, Clean and Cutting-edge,” added Mr Modi. He also said that mobility was extremely critical to preserve the planet and fight against climate change.