To improve the last mile connectivity, the Delhi government is going to bring e-scooters into the mix.
As a pilot project, 1,500 e-scooters will be provided in 250 locations in Dwarka. Later on, it will be extended to other parts of the national capital.
“We are going to start this as a pilot project with e-scooters in Dwarka. At least 1,500 e-scooters will be made available at 250 sites within the area,” Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said.
“You will have to drive the e-scooter yourself and pay a fare for it. Payment can be made through the integrated card that works on buses and metro,” he added.
Commuters will be able to pick up an e-scooter from any of the 250 locations and return it to any of these locations, according to CM Kejriwal. Within the next 12 months, 1,500 e-scooters will be deployed at 250 locations, which will include high-footfall places such as metro stations, bus stops and hospitals.
The e-scooter will have a swappable battery and a maximum range of 60 kilometres on a full charge. It will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour. The contract will be awarded to the company that charges the lowest amount to the consumer for a period of seven years.
“You don’t need anyone to ferry you here. It will be completely self-driven. The helmet will be attached to the scooter. You can take it and drive around the area before dropping it off at any of the 250 locations. All the scooters will contain swappable batteries. “The scooter’s driving range will be at least 60 km per charge, with a top speed of 60 kmph,” CM Kejriwal said.
CM Kejriwal said that from the day of the tender agreement, the first 500 scooters will be deployed at 100 locations. Then another 500 at another 100 locations in the next four months and then another 500 at another 50 locations by the end of the year.