India plans to order Uber and Ola to convert 40 per cent of their fleet of cars to electric by April 2026, according to a source and records of government meetings to discuss new rules for clean mobility.

Uber and Ola, both backed by Softbank Group, would need to start converting their fleet as early as next year to achieve 2.5 per cent electrification by 2021, 5 per cent by 2022, 10per cent by 2023 before hiking it to 40 per cent, according to the person and the records that have been reviewed by Reuters.

Some taxi players, like Ola, have previously tried to operate electric cars in the country, but with little success given inadequate infrastructure and high costs.

New Delhi, however, is looking to push the new policy to boost the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as it tries to bring down its oil imports and curb pollution so it can meet its commitment as part of the 2015 Paris climate change treaty.

Niti Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and which plays a crucial role in policymaking, is working with several ministries on the new policy.

China, home to the world's top auto market, is already leading the world in electrification by setting tough EV sales targets for car makers and offering incentives to taxi operators to increase their fleet of clean-fuel cars.

EV sales in India grew three-fold to 3,600 in the year ended March but still account for about 0.1 per cent of the 3.3 million diesel and gasoline cars sold in the country over the period, industry data showed. China's electric car sales, meanwhile, rose 62 per cent in 2018 to 1.3 million vehicles.

In a meeting in New Delhi on May 28, Niti Aayog officials and the ministries of road transport, power, renewable energy and steel, as well as the departments of heavy industries and trade, were among those recommending taxi operators in India gradually convert to electric.

They also recommended that all new cars sold for commercial use should only be electric from April 2026, a change that would also apply to Uber and Ola, said the person who has direct knowledge of the matter but spoke on condition of anonymity.&nbsp;

Motorcycles and scooters sold for commercial purposes, like food delivery or for use by e-commerce companies, will also need to be electric from April 2023, the person added.

India has seen a boom in food delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy, which counts Naspers and Tencent as investors. Sales by e-commerce firms like Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart are also rising.

Motorbikes too

The EV proposal comes weeks after the inter-ministerial committee recommended electrifying most motorbikes and scooters for private use and all three-wheeled autorickshaws within the next six to eight years.

While there are several electric scooter manufacturers in the country including Ather Energy, Hero Electric and Okinawa, there are only two car makers that build and sell electric cars - Mahindra &amp; Mahindra and Tata Motors.

Some taxi operators have so far had little success operating electric cars in India. Ola launched a pilot project in Nagpur in 2017 but a year later drivers, unhappy with long wait times at charging stations and high operating expenses, wanted to return to gasoline cars.

Ola, however, is not giving up yet.

Its Ola Electric Mobility unit in March that raised 4 billion rupees from investors including venture capital fund Tiger Global and Matrix Partners.

It also raised $300 million from Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors and formed a strategic partnership with the South Korean duo to help build India-specific EVs.

Modi's government in 2017 had set an ambitious target to electrify new cars and utility vehicles by 2030 but resistance from the industry forced it to scale back the plan.

India plans to order Uber and Ola to convert 40 per cent of their fleet of cars to electric by April 2026, according to a source and records of government meetings to discuss new rules for clean mobility.

India plans to order Uber and Ola to convert 40 per cent of their fleet of cars to electric by April 2026, according to a source and records of government meetings to discuss new rules for clean mobility. Uber and Ola, both backed by Softbank Group, would need to start converting their fleet as early as next year to achieve 2.5 per cent electrification by 2021, 5 per cent by 2022, 10per cent by 2023 before hiking it to 40 per cent, according to the person and the records that have been reviewed by Reuters. Some taxi players, like Ola, have previously tried to operate electric cars in the country, but with little success given inadequate infrastructure and high costs. New Delhi, however, is looking to push the new policy to boost the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) as it tries to bring down its oil imports and curb pollution so it can meet its commitment as part of the 2015 Paris climate change treaty. Niti Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and which plays a crucial role in policymaking, is working with several ministries on the new policy. China, home to the world's top auto market, is already leading the world in electrification by setting tough EV sales targets for car makers and offering incentives to taxi operators to increase their fleet of clean-fuel cars. EV sales in India grew three-fold to 3,600 in the year ended March but still account for about 0.1 per cent of the 3.3 million diesel and gasoline cars sold in the country over the period, industry data showed. China's electric car sales, meanwhile, rose 62 per cent in 2018 to 1.3 million vehicles. In a meeting in New Delhi on May 28, Niti Aayog officials and the ministries of road transport, power, renewable energy and steel, as well as the departments of heavy industries and trade, were among those recommending taxi operators in India gradually convert to electric. They also recommended that all new cars sold for commercial use should only be electric from April 2026, a change that would also apply to Uber and Ola, said the person who has direct knowledge of the matter but spoke on condition of anonymity. Motorcycles and scooters sold for commercial purposes, like food delivery or for use by e-commerce companies, will also need to be electric from April 2023, the person added. India has seen a boom in food delivery apps like Zomato and Swiggy, which counts Naspers and Tencent as investors. Sales by e-commerce firms like Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart are also rising. Motorbikes too The EV proposal comes weeks after the inter-ministerial committee recommended electrifying most motorbikes and scooters for private use and all three-wheeled autorickshaws within the next six to eight years. While there are several electric scooter manufacturers in the country including Ather Energy, Hero Electric and Okinawa, there are only two car makers that build and sell electric cars - Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors. Some taxi operators have so far had little success operating electric cars in India. Ola launched a pilot project in Nagpur in 2017 but a year later drivers, unhappy with long wait times at charging stations and high operating expenses, wanted to return to gasoline cars. Ola, however, is not giving up yet. Its Ola Electric Mobility unit in March that raised 4 billion rupees from investors including venture capital fund Tiger Global and Matrix Partners. It also raised $300 million from Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors and formed a strategic partnership with the South Korean duo to help build India-specific EVs. Modi's government in 2017 had set an ambitious target to electrify new cars and utility vehicles by 2030 but resistance from the industry forced it to scale back the plan.

India to order Uber, Ola to go electric by April 2026: Report

House Democrats passed its first major piece of legislation addressing climate change on Thursday, aiming to prevent the US from leaving the Paris climate agreement. Watch full video to know more.

House Democrats pass major climate change bill

US President Donald Trump, who pulled his country out of the 2015 Paris climate change deal, is &quot;for the time being&quot; not invited to a climate change summit due to be held in the French capital in December, an official in President Emmanuel Macron&#39;s office said.

Over a hundred countries, as well as non-governmental organisations, have been invited for the December 12 summit.

&quot;The United States has a bit of a special status for that summit,&quot; the official said, adding that guests there will be committed to implementing the 2015 deal.

The United States would still be invited to the summit but at a lower level than the president, added the official.

Over a hundred countries, as well as non governmental organisations, have been invited for the December 12 summit.

US President Donald Trump, who pulled his country out of the 2015 Paris climate change deal, is "for the time being" not invited to a climate change summit due to be held in the French capital in December, an official in President Emmanuel Macron's office said. Over a hundred countries, as well as non-governmental organisations, have been invited for the December 12 summit. "The United States has a bit of a special status for that summit," the official said, adding that guests there will be committed to implementing the 2015 deal. The United States would still be invited to the summit but at a lower level than the president, added the official.

Trump not invited to Paris December climate change summit for now, says France

India, the world&#39;s third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, formally &nbsp;deposited its Instrument of Ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change today at the United Nations.&nbsp;

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&quot;India has deposited its instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement with the United Nations,&quot; the UN&nbsp;said in a statement.&nbsp;

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India Deposits Instrument of Ratification of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParisAgreement?src=hash">#ParisAgreement</a> - 
62 States Deposited Accounting for 51.89% GHG<a href="https://t.co/8iK3BzpWqJ">https://t.co/8iK3BzpWqJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/ME7wB8iPpy">pic.twitter.com/ME7wB8iPpy</a>
&mdash; UN Climate Action (@UNFCCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/UNFCCC/status/782588746407546880">October 2, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Anil Madhav Dave, Indian minister of state (Independent Charge) for environment, forest and climate change government of India, also confirmed the development on microblogging site, Twitter.&nbsp;

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India deposits instrument of ratification <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParisAgreement?src=hash">#ParisAgreement</a> on the International Day of Non-Violence <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GandhiJayanti?src=hash">#GandhiJayanti</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia">@MEAIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UN">@UN</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/UNFCCC">@UNFCCC</a> <a href="https://t.co/GKfS9T7n4B">pic.twitter.com/GKfS9T7n4B</a>
&mdash; India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndiaUNNewYork/status/782605596889579520">October 2, 2016</a></blockquote>
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With India`s move, a total of 62 countries accounting for almost 52 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions have now ratified the agreement to commit to take action against planet&#39;s rising temperatures, international news agency AFP observes.

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier said that the agreement would be signed on the occassion of the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on October 2. As the agreement was ratified, he explained how the Paris accord was in sync with Gandhian ideology. Mahatma Gandhi is hailed as&nbsp;the preeminent leader of Indian independence movement.&nbsp;

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Care &amp; concern towards nature is integral to the Indian ethos. India is committed to doing everything possible to mitigate climate change. <a href="https://t.co/cKLlIu2J7S">https://t.co/cKLlIu2J7S</a>
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/782622679538860032">October 2, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The climate change agreement aims to slash greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to &quot;well-below two degree Celsius compared to pre-industrial times.&nbsp;

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The accord, &nbsp;agreed by nearly 200 countries in Paris last December, needs ratification from 55 countries that account for at least 55 per cent of the planet`s greenhouse gas emissions.&nbsp;

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Last month, the agreement received a boost at world&#39;s two top emitters, US and China signed the agreement.&nbsp;

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Meanwhile, United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated India for formally joining the Paris Agreement.

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&quot;The Secretary-General warmly congratulates India for ratifying and formally joining the Paris Agreement today.India`s leadership builds on the continued strong political momentum from Paris for urgent global action on climate change,&quot; said a statement by the spokesman of the Secretary-General.

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US President Barack Obama also hailed India&#39;s submission of instrument of ratification.&nbsp;

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It&#39;s also important to note that European Union (EU) is expected to complete the joint ratification of the climate pact by its 28 member states next week, Reuters observes adding that this will be a major milestone as it would take approvals past the 55 per cent mark and put the deal into effect ahead of the next round of climate talks in November, in Morocco.

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(WION with inputs from agencies) &nbsp; 
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The deal aims to slash greenhouse gas emissions by shifting away from fossil fuels to limit global warming to 'well below' 2 degrees Celcius

India, the world's third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, formally deposited its Instrument of Ratification of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change today at the United Nations. "India has deposited its instrument of ratification of the Paris Agreement with the United Nations," the UN said in a statement. India Deposits Instrument of Ratification of #ParisAgreement - 62 States Deposited Accounting for 51.89% GHGhttps://t.co/8iK3BzpWqJ pic.twitter.com/ME7wB8iPpy — UN Climate Action (@UNFCCC) October 2, 2016 × Anil Madhav Dave, Indian minister of state (Independent Charge) for environment, forest and climate change government of India, also confirmed the development on microblogging site, Twitter. India deposits instrument of ratification #ParisAgreement on the International Day of Non-Violence #GandhiJayanti @MEAIndia @UN @UNFCCC pic.twitter.com/GKfS9T7n4B — India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) October 2, 2016 × With India`s move, a total of 62 countries accounting for almost 52 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions have now ratified the agreement to commit to take action against planet's rising temperatures, international news agency AFP observes. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier said that the agreement would be signed on the occassion of the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi on October 2. As the agreement was ratified, he explained how the Paris accord was in sync with Gandhian ideology. Mahatma Gandhi is hailed as the preeminent leader of Indian independence movement. Care & concern towards nature is integral to the Indian ethos. India is committed to doing everything possible to mitigate climate change. https://t.co/cKLlIu2J7S — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 2, 2016 × The climate change agreement aims to slash greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to "well-below two degree Celsius compared to pre-industrial times. The accord, agreed by nearly 200 countries in Paris last December, needs ratification from 55 countries that account for at least 55 per cent of the planet`s greenhouse gas emissions. Last month, the agreement received a boost at world's two top emitters, US and China signed the agreement. Meanwhile, United Nation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated India for formally joining the Paris Agreement. "The Secretary-General warmly congratulates India for ratifying and formally joining the Paris Agreement today.India`s leadership builds on the continued strong political momentum from Paris for urgent global action on climate change," said a statement by the spokesman of the Secretary-General. US President Barack Obama also hailed India's submission of instrument of ratification. It's also important to note that European Union (EU) is expected to complete the joint ratification of the climate pact by its 28 member states next week, Reuters observes adding that this will be a major milestone as it would take approvals past the 55 per cent mark and put the deal into effect ahead of the next round of climate talks in November, in Morocco. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India ratifies Paris Climate Change Agreement at UN