Union ministers and senior bureaucrats will be ferried to and fro in electric sedans. | Photo Credit: Indiatimes, Representative Image

New Delhi: As the world's third-largest oil guzzler decides to join the electric vehicle (EV) covenant, Union ministers and senior bureaucrats will be ferried to and fro in electric sedans. Global bids have been floated in the NCR for 10,000 battery-powered cars along with 4,000 charging stations.

Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), a company promoted by state-run power utilities, has notified the tender and will float RFP (request for proposals) on Friday, reports TOI.

"We will start with government departments," Union power, coal and renewable energy minister Piyush Goyal told TOI on Wednesday after EESL and state-run fuel retailers signed MoUs for selling energy efficient LED bulbs from petrol pumps.

The company will also buy 1,000 four-door EVs that will be able to run 120-155 kilometers on a single charge in the first phase. The first phase will be spread over a period of six months.

"We intend to have 300-400 EVs out in the NDMC zone (housing all ministries and most government offices) by November," EESL MD Saurabh Kumar told TOI. "We told the government we will provide the EVs, drivers and maintenance. So nothing changes for the departments as they will continue to get the service for, maybe, Rs 5,000 less, and contribute in reducing pollution."

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