Uber has appealed to the Delhi government, emphasizing that all 70,000 cars on its platform in the Delhi-NCR region run on either CNG or electric power, positioning them as environmentally friendly alternatives. The plea aims to overturn the recent ban on app-based taxi services from surrounding states and cities, limiting operations to cabs with Delhi registration. The ban was instigated following a Supreme Court directive to the Kejriwal government, urging contemplation of measures to address air pollution, including prohibiting services from companies like Ola and Uber.
Uber, in a letter, warned against the ban, stating it would be a “mobility lockdown” for citizens, hindering access to critical infrastructure. The company cited a study from the Delhi Technological University, asserting that less than 2% of the city’s air pollution originates from four-wheelers, advocating for a focus on other pollution sources.
Both Uber and Ola, major players in the ride-hailing sector, have been actively working towards electrifying their fleets in India, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region. The area has witnessed the emergence of EV-centric cab companies such as BluSmart and Lithium Urban Technologies. Despite a brief respite on Tuesday, Delhi’s pollution level, measured by the air quality index (AQI), surged back to ‘severe plus’ on Thursday. Industry sources suggest the Delhi government is likely to announce its final decision on the matter in the coming morning.
