Marking a major step towards green urban governance, the Municipal Corporation Shimla has become the first Urban Local Body (ULB) in Himachal Pradesh to introduce an electric waste management fleet. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today flagged off 10 electric waste collection vehicles from the Himachal Pradesh State Secretariat. With this initiative, MC Shimla has begun the phased transition of its waste management system towards electric mobility, aligning with the state’s push for environmental sustainability.
The Chief Minister shared that trial runs of the vehicles were successfully conducted from 10 to 14 November 2025, during which the e-vehicles performed efficiently across Shimla’s challenging hilly terrain. Each vehicle has a waste carrying capacity of one tonne and has been procured at a cost of ₹13.98 lakh. A dedicated charging facility has also been installed at the Municipal Corporation parking area, enabling smooth operations. On a full charge, each vehicle can cover approximately 130–150 kilometres.
Lauding the initiative, the Chief Minister said that the state government is actively promoting e-mobility as part of its broader vision to transform Himachal Pradesh into a “Green State.” He added that such initiatives, envisioned in the government’s first budget, are crucial for long-term environmental protection and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. He also noted that the shift to electric vehicles will help reduce operational costs for the Municipal Corporation amid rising fuel prices.
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