India’s largest environmentally friendly electric car technology expo, “The 16th EV EXPO 2022,” opened recently in Hall A of Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Kolkata. It is part of the Govt of West Bengal’s E-mobility Week, which aims to hasten the acceptance and use of electric vehicles in the State.

The EV Expo was inaugurated by Mr. Snehasis  Chakraborty, Hon’ble Minister of Transport, Mr. Aroop Biswas, Hon’ble Minister of Power, Sports and Youth Services,  Dr. Shashi Panja, Hon’ble Minister of Industry, Commerce & Enterprises and Public Enterprises and Industrial Reconstruction Deptt, Women & Child Development & Social Welfare. Other Dignitaries present on occasion were Mr. S Suresh Kumar, Addl. Chief Secy, Power & NRES, Mr. Binod Kumar, Principal Secy Transport & Commissioner, KMC,  among other senior Officers of the WB Govt. Also present were Mr. Anuj Sharma, President, of the Electric vehicle Federation and Founder of EV Expo, & Mr. Rajiv Arora, Director, of Altius Auto Solutions Pvt. Ltd., the Organisers of the 16th EV EXPO 2022.

In order to increase E-Mobility awareness, accessibility, and convenience for State residents, the West Bengali government has also initiated three initiatives. These include:

1. Launch of “EV Chetna,” an EV Awareness Web Portal backed by the Asian Development Bank, which will serve as a one-stop resource and information hub for prospective customers, business owners, and investors and include practical tools like EV charging cost calculators.
2. A user may identify, reserve, and pay for a charging station on a single platform thanks to the integrated charging infrastructure app called “EV Bandhu” that the West Bengal government developed. This app, which will soon be accessible on app stores, will undoubtedly provide users with a tonne of convenience.
3. The first integrated EV Awareness Social Media platform in India, called “@EV Yatra,” which does outreach on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, was initially developed for this specific EV Expo.

The three-day conference brings together manufacturers, innovators in the electric vehicle industry, and thought leaders from the public and private sectors to reimagine sustainability via innovation and experience. Around 100 exhibitors, including Hyundai, Tata Motors, PMI, and government departments, will display the newest and most technologically sophisticated 2, 3, and 4-wheeled electric vehicles, batteries and charging solutions, parts, accessories, and technology at the Expo.

EV EXPO East is open for visitors from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm from December 9-11, 2022 at Hall A, Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Kolkata.

Priyanka Dutta