Sustainable Development

4th NOV 2022: WORK: GLOBAL REVIEW OF GNSS BASED ROAD PRICING TO ARRIVE AT POTENTIAL TECHNOLOGY FOR DISTANCE BASED TAX REGIME IN INDIA'S ZEV FUTURE - 70 PAGE STUDY FOR CEEW

In the inaugural session of the 15th Urban Mobility India Conference and Expo 2022, the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr Hardeep Singh Puri also launched, "India's EV Transition: Managing Fuel Tax Revenue Loss”. The minister discussed about the future revenue alternatives for oil companies which is discussed in Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) report in the form of distance based taxes, GST, electricity taxes etc.

The study can be downloaded here: https://www.ceew.in/publications/recovering-fuel-tax-revenue-loss-from-ev-transition-in-india

We are honoured that our experts have supported the study that came to this conclusion about suitability of GNSS for Road User Charging (RUC) - especially as we transition from fuel-driven ICEs to electric vehicles. Our analysis suggests that a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) is best suited for a long-term transition to a Distance Tax regime in India. 

We prepared a detailed analysis of the use of satellite-based positioning - and other technologies - in distance-based tolling and RUC in India and around the world. It was a pleasure working together with a team of European experts including, Mr. Norbert Schindler, GNSS Consulting. 

We drew upon the experiences in Europe and the USA in using GNSS technology for distance-based road user charging. We have come a long way since 2001, when Switzerland first deployed a distance-based tax using satellite-positioning in 2001. Germany launched its revolutionary GNSS-based tolling system ("LKW Maut") in 2005. Today, there are 10 nationwide tolling/charging schemes operating in Europe based on GNSS (as summarized here: https://www.gnss-consulting.com/using-satellite-positioning-in-all-electronic-tolling/)

Singapore and Indonesia are the first Asian countries to implement a GNSS-based charging scheme, with India currently preparing to do the same. Also in the United States, satellite-based Road User Charging is getting a lot of attention, with three states already having such systems in operation for Electric Vehicles.

Other interesting insights from the study:

"The exponential growth of EVs in the vehicle stock will create a new challenge for the exchequer – revenue lost in fuel taxes on petroleum products. This loss in revenue is almost equal to the funds allotted in the transport budget for viability gap funding for cluster buses in 2020–21"

"A distance-based tax is the best alternative to compensate for the revenue loss from fuel taxes" 

15th AUG 2022: VIEWS: PRACTICING SUSTAINABLE LIVING, by Sainath Gurav

It was important for me to practice what I preach as sustainable mobility consultant. So, made few lifestyle choices with the new life while living on the outskirts of a mega city in the United Kingdom. Choice of sustainable living.

#First choice, not buying a car.

#Second choice, walking for daily chores & building support system for it.

#Third choice, multimodal public transport for official and personal intra-city, inter-city travel.

How it helped me? It helped me,

• Train my kids about sustainable living.

• Save fuel and contribute to lesser carbon footprint.

• Reduce my weight. Made me healthier.

• Get fitter to play club level cricket at this age.

• Save my Gymnasium cost and time.

• Fund my annual vacation this year.

• Look for sustainable vacation options which are convenient too.

Few may debate public transport is better in United Kingdom city compared to Mumbai where I lived earlier. Still, I believe it can be adopted in Mumbai too. Well, I will give it a try when in Mumbai. 

4th JUL 2022: ARTICLES: CAN INDIA's EV MARKET HELP IT REACH NET-ZERO BY 2070?

Our Co-founder & Managing Director, Mr. Sainath Gurav had shared his views on India's net-zero goals to Automotive World a leading UK based magazine that covers sustainable mobility initiatives worldwide. In this report he emphasised, 

• How Indian Government launched FAME scheme that promote electric and hybrid vehicle technology manufacturing, is useful as many Indians struggle the keep up with the soaring price of EVs.

• How the greater market penetration for EVs could result in less funding for these subsidised initiatives and why we need to balance it out: keep subsidising through government initiatives but eliminate loss from fuel tax revenue if everyone goes electric.

• On India’s younger generation being well read on the effects of climate change and is willing to make lifestyle changes to contribute towards sustainable living.

• Why more organisations and consultants in India need to work towards sustainable mobility goals, requiring alternate green fuels like hydrogen and ethanol alongside EVs to support sustainable mobility initiatives.

You can read the complete report by Elle Farrell-Kingsley here: www.automotiveworld.com/articles/can-indias-ev-market-help-it-reach-net-zero-by-2070/