Environment Ministry clarifies stance on vehicle procurement, highlights shift to cleaner fleet

He further stated that the latest bid document for new cars includes provisions allowing flexibility to hire electric vehicles within the overall sanctioned fleet.

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The Environment Ministry on Thursday clarified that the majority of vehicles in its fleet are powered by electricity, CNG or hybrid technology, following criticism over a recent tender process.Responding in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh said that in recent years the ministry has procured only four vehicles — all hybrids — through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), in line with directions from the Department of Expenditure.He further stated that the latest bid document for new cars includes provisions allowing flexibility to hire electric vehicles within the overall sanctioned fleet.The clarification comes after reports in May suggested that the ministry had floated a tender in Delhi for 60 vehicles, of which 57 were petrol-powered and just three were cleaner-fuel options — two Toyota Hycross hybrids and one Tata Nexon EV. The tender was valued at around ₹8.4 crore.

The move drew criticism as it came soon after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued an advisory on May 2 urging all government departments to procure only electric, hybrid or CNG vehicles in the National Capital Region.

Singh also noted that the ministry has been hiring electric vehicles through Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a joint venture of public sector undertakings under the Power Ministry, adding that “a majority of the vehicles being hired are e-vehicles or CNG or hybrid vehicles.”