In a forward-looking move towards environmental sustainability and modernization, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to retire its aging fleet of Ambassador cars, notorious for maintenance issues, and embrace eco-friendly e-cars. To facilitate this transition, a tender with an estimated value of approximately Rs 25 crores has been issued to lease 110 e-cars for a duration of five years.
Once synonymous with government officials and political leaders, the iconic Ambassador car has, over time, become an impractical choice for the PMC. Challenges related to sourcing spare parts and the cars’ notably low fuel efficiency have compelled the municipal corporation to phase them out. Currently, the PMC possesses 39 Ambassador cars, each with a service life ranging from 12 to 13 years.
To combat the twin challenges of noise and air pollution, the PMC has taken proactive steps by incorporating e-cars into its vehicle fleet. Presently, 65 e-cars are already in operation, and the recently floated tender aims to lease an additional 110 e-cars for a period of five years, with an estimated expenditure of Rs 25 crores. Under the terms of the contract, the selected contractor will assume responsibility for the drivers, charging infrastructure, and maintenance costs associated with these eco-friendly vehicles.
The PMC boasts a comprehensive fleet comprising 1,378 vehicles, serving various functions such as waste transportation, water supply, and road maintenance. The administration allocates vehicles to officers and officials in accordance with their operational needs. In an ongoing process, older vehicles that have reached the 15-year mark are being phased out and replaced with newer alternatives.
Although the tender specifies the acquisition of 110 e-cars, their deployment will be gradual and tailored to meet specific operational requirements. Hrishikesh Chavan, Traffic Manager within the Department of Motor Vehicles, clarified, “The cars will be put into use as per requirement, and the billing will be generated accordingly.”
The PMC’s shift towards e-cars not only underscores its commitment to environmental preservation but also addresses the challenges posed by the aging Ambassador car fleet.
