Electrifying Public Mobility: Pathways, Challenges and Opportunities for Electric Vehicles (with focus on Punjab)

Abstract

The state of Punjab is at a critical juncture in redefining its mobility systems. With rapid urbanization, rising vehicle ownership and deteriorating air quality, the demand for a sustainable public transport framework has never been greater. This paper examines the role of electric vehicles (EVs), particularly in the public mobility sector, as a transformative pathway for Punjab’s transportation future. Drawing from Ludhiana’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan (2014), Low Carbon Mobility Plan (2013) and recent insights on electric mobility, this research highlights both the opportunities and barriers in adopting EVs in public transport. The paper concludes with policy recommendations that can help in achieving a modal shift toward sustainable, electrified and equitable mobility.