The integration of electric vehicles (EVs) into household waste collection marks a transformative step under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U)

In line with the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), Indian cities are increasingly integrating electric vehicles (EVs) into municipal waste collection systems, marking a pivotal shift towards eco-friendly urban sanitation. Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, has deployed over 200 electric autos, replacing diesel-fuelled garbage trucks across its 159.46 sq. km area. Supported by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), this initiative under the Sustainable Cities Integrated Pilot Approach (SCIAP) eliminates the use of over 71,000 litres of diesel annually and cuts down an estimated 21,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over ten years. Chennai’s comprehensive deployment of 5,478 battery-operated E-rickshaws across all 15 zones is another benchmark initiative. These vehicles, each equipped with bins for segregated waste collection and audio systems for public awareness, service over 2.1 million households across 24,621 streets. Travelling approximately 40 km daily, the Chennai fleet contributes to an annual carbon emission reduction of 15,160 tonnes while generating employment for more than 6,000 people and promoting decentralised waste segregation at the source.
Similarly, Indore has introduced 100 electric vehicles in its core areas, like Rajwada, targeting a reduction of 24,918 tonnes of carbon emissions annually. This move is set to save the Indore Municipal Corporation around Rs. 5.97 crore (US$ 691,452) each year by lowering fuel and maintenance costs. The vehicles, connected to an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), are GPS-enabled for real-time tracking and enhanced monitoring. To power these EVs sustainably, the city has installed 20 solar charging stations fitted with 10 kW panels, each capable of generating 800–1,000 units of clean energy per day, sufficient to charge 80–100 vehicles. These concerted efforts by Guntur, Chennai, and Indore underscore a broader transition towards clean mobility and renewable energy in urban waste management, offering a scalable and sustainable model for other Indian cities while significantly improving environmental and operational outcomes. 

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