Accelerating adoption of electric mobility in public transport in Kakinada, India

• Kakinada is witnessing rapid growth with an urbanisation rate of 13%, higher than the surrounding cities in its region. This has led to increasing travel needs and demand for transportation infrastructure
• The city has a population of 350,000 in the municipal area alone, increasing to 570,000 when including the surrounding areas. 45% of this population is below the poverty line
• Women often face limited income opportunities, and express safety concerns when commuting in auto-rickshaws driven by male drivers
• Over 78% of the population use public transport, though a dedicated city-based public transportation system is insufficient
• The number of auto-rickshaws has increased from about 500 rickshaws in 2007 to about 3000 in 2020

To facilitate the shift from conventional fuel-based transportation to sustainable electric public transport, the project team adopted a phased transition approach. The initial phase of the project focused primarily on planning the transition to electrified public transport systems in the city. The second phase then focused on implementation. Key steps included:

• Conducting comprehensive feasibility studies to gather information for strategic deployment of E-buses and electric three-wheelers (E3Ws)
• Recommending the establishment of an e-mobility "Special Purpose Vehicle" (SPV) to streamline the procurement and operations of electric transport options
• Organising extensive technical training programmes on EVs, targeting specific stakeholder groups
• Developing three specialised training modules tailored for women and youth from marginalised communities, taking into account the training requirements identified in the initial phase. These modules aimed to create employment opportunities and prepare individuals for the EV industry
• Designing an E3W financing scheme to facilitate accessible and affordable auto loan financing options, based on extensive consultations with auto unions and drivers
• Towards the conclusion of the project, various awareness activities on EVs were organised at prominent locations within Kakinada. These efforts were aimed to sustain the benefits of the project and promote self-sufficiency in driving the adoption of EVs
• The team adopted gender and social inclusion lens throughout project delivery across all activities, ensuring that project benefits were distributed equitably among different sections of society

In Kakinada, prior to the project in 2021, there were no electric vehicles financed for women, no women drivers in public transport, and a lack of gender-inclusive transport planning. The project successfully improved from this baseline, with key GESI achievements including:

• A public transport plan which was gender responsive and socially inclusive. One of the proposed routes was designed to increase connectivity for disadvantaged groups in the Kakinada Industrial Area. Recommendations were also included to improve the safety and accessibility of buses, bus stops and the bus depot for women and people with disabilities. These included CCTV cameras, women guards on duty, and ramps for improved accessibility
• A GESI checklist for policymakers was created to support future inclusive design, development and management of public transport
• Specific training was held for women and marginalised groups. These sessions resulted in 75 women trained as E3W drivers, 21 marginalised women and youth trained as EV repair and service technicians, and 27 marginalised women and youth trained as charging station operators
• A customised financing scheme to support women auto drivers was created. One woman trainee driver has bought an e-rickshaw under the scheme, with two women in the final stages of applying
• Inclusivity on the E-Vahanam portal. The portal provides information on topics such as job opportunities, and provides a space for women to connect with other women for mentoring and guidance

The next steps and recommendations from the project are:

• To establish a dedicated joint venture focused on zero emission mobility for the implementation of intra-city public transportation systems
• To integrate EV technical courses into the curriculum of Government Industrial Training Institute and technical education colleges
• To create a basic charging network for electric two- and three-wheelers in and around Kakinada city
• To form a special manufacturing zone to attract suppliers and manufacturers of electric two- and three-wheelers to the city
• To deliver regular skill training programmes and EV awareness events organised by KSCCL/KMC, with a particular focus on marginalised and underprivileged sections of society
• To introduce a concessional loan financing scheme for electric three-wheelers aimed at marginalised women and youth