Amid rising concerns over air pollution and public health, there is a growing demand for the conversion of Mangaluru's public transport to electric vehicles (EVs). In an appeal, the Mangaluru-based urban environmental NGO, APD Foundation, has urged the minister for forest, ecology and environment Eshwar Khandre, to make this shift mandatory.

In a letter to the minister, Abdullah A Rehman, founder and CEO of APD Foundation, said that Mangaluru's public transport, comprises both govt and private sector operators. The transport industry is highly efficient and organised, making it well-suited for a phased EV conversion. He proposed that financial incentives, partnerships with EV manufacturers, and collaborations with environmental organisations could help ease this transition. He also encouraged the minister to prioritise EV adoption in public transport, highlighting that EVs could significantly reduce harmful emissions, improve air quality, and lower noise levels, as electric buses are notably quieter. He said that the copy of the letter was submitted to the DC.

Dilraj Alva from the Dakshina Kannada City Bus Association said that introducing EV buses in the city could probably take another year or two due to infrastructure and cost challenges. He said that electric buses are generally purchased through aggregators and not directly by individuals. Essential infrastructure, such as charging stations, is also needed, which adds to the complexity.

"While diesel buses cost around INR 30-40 lakh, EV buses are approximately Rs 1 crore," he noted, emphasising the need to assess the financial viability and funding options. Alva said that discussions took place with several companies over recent years, including a meeting held in Manipal.

He further questioned the assumption that switching to EVs would significantly reduce pollution, pointing out that EVs are not entirely pollution-free, especially considering the environmental impact of battery disposal. "Simply shifting to EVs for pollution reduction is not a complete solution," he said, questioning, "What about the battery disposal?"

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