Mumbai, March 12, 2024: The Automotive Skill Development Council (ASDC), supported by SIAM, ACMA, and FADA, has forged a strategic partnership with the Government of India and the Social Justice Department of the Government of Maharashtra to train 50,000 women under the PM EV2Solar Project for Social Justice, providing access to solar energy and electric vehicles (EVs) at 30% of the vehicle cost, with 70% funding support through state schemes.
The Solar2EV project, integrating with social justice schemes, aims to create 1 lakh new jobs, especially in cargo delivery powered by EVs.
During an event in Mumbai on Monday, Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Ramdas Athawale established this partnership with ASDC.
Speaking at the event, Athawale emphasized the distribution of vehicles to socially disadvantaged women through government schemes, providing mobility and economic opportunities. "Such vehicles will be distributed to socially disadvantaged women through Government of India and Government of Maharashtra schemes, empowering them with mobility and economic opportunities," he said.
The Solar2EV initiative envisions a future of innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable development, reflecting the commitment to uplift marginalised communities.
"As we embark on the Solar2EV journey, we envision a future where innovation and opportunity intersect to uplift the marginalized. This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive growth and sustainable development, empowering communities across Maharashtra and beyond," Athawale said.
Vinkesh Gulati, Vice President of ASDC, said, “By focusing on skill development and corporate engagement, we're not just opening up opportunities in Maharashtra's growing EV and solar sectors; we're ensuring that women are at the forefront of this transformative journey."
The partnership seeks CSR contributions from Corporate India, especially the Automotive Industry, to establish solar-to-EV connections across Maharashtra. The Solar2EV initiative aims to create job opportunities in the first-mile and last-mile mobility sectors, benefiting the e-commerce industry. Stakeholders like Amazon, Flipkart, and ride-hailing applications are encouraged to leverage social justice funds for innovative solutions.
A task force, led by Social Justice Commissioner Om Prakash Bhakoria and Randheer Singh, Former Director at Niti Aayog, will focus on creating socially sustainable products through ASDC's skill development programs. Bhakoria mentioned, "Initiatives of this nature are essential for ensuring equitable distribution of opportunities among socially and economically disadvantaged groups in society."
The Union Minister also flagged off Solar2EV- Women's EV electric mobility rally marking the commencement of the Solar2EV initiative.
The project is currently featuring a mix of vehicles and iconic brands supporting the cause. Leading experts form the automotive industry like Forsee Consulting and some of India’s largest two wheeler to electric bus OEMs that have evinced interest to be a part of this programme. They include the likes of PMI Electromobility, Saera Auto, Omega Seiki Mobility, Revfin Services, Sun Mobility, Mahindra Last Mile Mobility, Kinetic Green and Citroen C2 fleet cars from Stellantis.
Sharing his insights on such a programme that will converge electric mobility and renewables the Founder & CEO of RevFin, Sameer Agarwal, said, "Women have embraced opportunities in EV financing, transcending traditional gender roles with some of them becoming the primary bread-winners of their households…I urge women to seize control of their financial destinies for a brighter future.”
Revfin has facilitated financing for over 40,000 E-rickshaws by extending loans to 10,000+ women across the nation.
Uday Narang, Founder and Chairman of Omega Seiki Mobility, expressed his enthusiasm for the PM Solar2EV initiative, stating, "By providing 3,000 electric passenger E3W Stream City vehicles for women-run initiatives, we aim to empower and celebrate the incredible contributions of women in our society.”
Randheer Singh Co-Founder of Forsee Consulting, which is the knowledge partner for the programme, said, "Cargo delivery powered by EVs marks a seismic shift, as with solar it will push more money in the hands of the gig workers as they will save in electricity bills, while heralding a new chapter in sustainable urban mobility."
