Indore, Guntur, Chennai Switches to EV for Household Waste Collection
Indore, Guntur, and Chennai are spearheading a green shift in urban sanitation under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban by deploying over 5,700 electric vehicles for waste collection and cutting 61,000+ tonnes of carbon emissions annually.
June 18, 2025. By Mrinmoy Dey
By replacing traditional fuel-powered garbage trucks, EVs not only cut down on carbon emissions but also align perfectly with the mission's goal of Garbage Free Cities, said the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in a statement.
Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, has embraced an eco-friendly transformation in waste management by deploying over 200 electric autos for door-to-door garbage collection. This initiative, backed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the Sustainable Cities Integrated Pilot Approach (SCIAP), replaces conventional diesel-powered trucks with a greener alternative.
“These electric autos, each equipped with GPS tracking for real-time monitoring, efficiently cover the city's 159.46 square kms. By eliminating the need for over 71,000 litres of diesel annually, the project significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions—an estimated 21,000 tonnes over a decade—helping to combat climate change and enhance air quality,” it said.
With lower maintenance costs and a longer operational lifespan than traditional garbage trucks, these vehicles offer a cost-effective solution for municipal waste management. Moreover, the initiative generates employment opportunities and improves service reliability, contributing to overall urban sustainability.
Similarly, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has deployed battery-operated electric rickshaws for waste collection across the city. By replacing diesel-powered vehicles with E-rickshaws that travel approximately 40 kms daily, the city effectively reduces around 41 tons of carbon emissions each day – amounting to an annual reduction of 15,160 tons.
“These electric vehicles are specifically designed for door-to-door waste collection from households, commercial spaces, and non-residential areas. Equipped with separate bins for segregating wet, dry, and hazardous waste, the E-rickshaws also promote source-level segregation, instilling environmentally conscious practices among the public and enhancing the efficiency and timeliness of garbage collection,” noted the statement.
Currently, the GCC operates a robust fleet of 5,478 E-rickshaws, servicing all 15 zones and covering 24,621 streets and over 2.1 million households. “This comprehensive system brings multiple advantages: significant environmental gains through zero emissions, reduction in fossil fuel dependency, and lower operation and maintenance costs. The initiative also creates employment for over 6,000 individuals. The integration of audio systems in the E-rickshaws further helps spread awareness about waste segregation through dedicated songs and public information campaigns,” it said.
Indore Municipal Corporation has introduced 100 electric vehicles (e-vehicles) for door-to-door waste collection, replacing traditional diesel-powered trucks. This initiative, focused on core city areas like Rajwada, helps in the reduction of annual carbon emissions by approximately 24,918 tons and cuts down significantly on fuel and maintenance costs.
“Equipped with real-time GPS tracking through the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), these vehicles will enhance service transparency and monitoring. The switch from diesel vehicles is expected to save the corporation around INR 5.97 crore annually, factoring in fuel, servicing, engine oil, and clutch replacement costs,” it said.
It further added that to power this green fleet sustainably, the corporation has established 20 solar charging stations, each equipped with 10 kW solar panels capable of generating 800–1,000 units of green energy daily. These stations can charge 80 to 100 vehicles per day, drastically reducing dependence on conventional electricity sources.
By embracing electric mobility, renewable energy, and digital technologies, these cities are not only mitigating environmental impacts but also improving operational efficiency and community well-being.
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