First in India: 200 electric taxis to run on Maharashtra’s roads on May 26

These taxis are expected to help tackle pollution in Maharashtra and reduce India’s dependence on energy imports

Fancy taking a ride around Nagpur in an electric taxi sometime soon? As many as 200 of these taxis — the first of their kind in the country — will hit the city’s streets on May 26.

The project was developed by Union minister Nitin Gadkari. (HT File)

The pet project of Union transport and shipping minister Nitin Gadkari, the project has been organised in collaboration with app-based taxi service provider Ola.

A few electric buses and autos will also be unveiled at the launch, which will be attended by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, a senior Ola official told HT.

“Mahindra and Mahindra has provided us with 200 taxis. The project, which has been undertaken by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation, will be launched at the Nagpur airport,” he said.

These taxis are expected to help tackle increasing pollution levels in the region and reduce the country’s dependence on energy imports. The project comes against the backdrop of the government’s policy of shifting to to electric vehicles by 2030.

If the Nagpur project is successful, electric taxis will be introduced in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh too, said sources.