CESL to supply 300 electric water tankers to Delhi Jal Board

Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL), a subsidiary of state-run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd, said on Thursday that it will supply 300 electric water tankers to the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) amid the ongoing heat wave in north India.

CESL said in a statement that the initiative is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for the adoption of electric vehicles, at a time when the world’s most populous country is almost 90 per cent dependent on crude oil imports, amid a West Asian war that has raised energy security concerns.

Mint On May 21, it reported that CESL is working to provide EVs on rent to central ministries, state governments and other government institutions under the EV-as-a-service model.

“CESL will support DJB in the planning and implementation of deployment of 300 electric water tankers (including charging infrastructure, sensors and open API integration) in GCC mode, which is expected to significantly reduce vehicle emissions, reduce operating costs and contribute to improving Delhi’s urban air quality,” the statement said.

CESL stated that the transition from traditional diesel-powered tankers to electric alternatives will also help create a more efficient and environmentally responsible public service ecosystem, adding that this move will help solve water scarcity problems in some regions.

GCC mode refers to the gross cost contract model for tendering for vehicles, which CESL follows for major electric mobility schemes such as the central government’s dedicated PM E-Drive scheme. ₹4,391 crore to support the rollout of 14,028 electric buses across nine metros.

fuel crisis

This development comes at a time when India is trying to reduce its dependence on imported crude oil as major supplies from West Asia are blocked in the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier this month, Modi called for greater adoption of electric vehicles in the country as they do not use petroleum products as fuel.

This also comes amid India Meteorological Department (IMD) warnings of severe heatwave for northern India. Although the heatwave raises concerns about water scarcity, it is also likely to increase energy demand. Mint It was reported on May 19.

Under the above-mentioned PM E-Drive scheme run by the Union ministry of heavy industries, the Center has also subsidized the installation of 4,874 EV chargers at various fuel retail stations operated by state-run oil marketing companies Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum as well as various states. ₹503.86 crore subsidy at the beginning of this month.