Amid growing concerns over air pollution and public health, the demand for converting Mangaluru's public transport to electric vehicles (EVs) is increasing. In an appeal, the Mangaluru-based urban environmental NGO, APD Foundation, urged Eshwar Khandre, the Minister for Forest, Ecology, and Environment, to make the transition to EVs mandatory.

In a letter to the minister, Abdullah A Rehman, the founder and CEO of APD Foundation, pointed out that Mangaluru's public transport system includes both government and private sector operators. He emphasized that the transport industry is highly efficient and organized, making it well-suited for a phased conversion to EVs. Rehman suggested that financial incentives, partnerships with EV manufacturers, and collaborations with environmental organizations could facilitate the transition. He also encouraged the minister to prioritize EV adoption in public transport, highlighting that electric vehicles could significantly reduce harmful emissions, improve air quality, and lower noise levels, as electric buses are notably quieter. He mentioned that a copy of the letter had been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner.

Dilraj Alva, from the Dakshina Kannada City Bus Association, stated that introducing EV buses in the city could take another year or two due to challenges related to infrastructure and costs. He explained that electric buses are typically purchased through aggregators rather than directly by individuals. He also noted that essential infrastructure, such as charging stations, would be required, which adds to the complexity. Alva highlighted the difference in cost, mentioning that while diesel buses cost around Rs 30-40 lakh, EV buses are priced at approximately Rs 1 crore. He stressed the importance of assessing the financial viability and funding options. Alva added that discussions had been held with several companies over the past few years, including a meeting in Manipal.

Furthermore, Alva questioned the assumption that switching to EVs would significantly reduce pollution, pointing out that EVs are not entirely pollution-free, particularly due to the environmental impact of battery disposal. He remarked that simply shifting to EVs for pollution reduction is not a complete solution, questioning what would be done about battery disposal.