The inclusion of electric vehicles (EVs) in domestic waste collection represents a significant advancement under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban.

In alignment with the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), cities across India are progressively incorporating electric vehicles (EVs) into their municipal waste management systems, signaling a significant move towards environmentally friendly urban sanitation. Guntur, located in Andhra Pradesh, has rolled out more than 200 electric autos, substituting diesel-powered garbage trucks in its 159.46 sq. km territory. 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), eliminates over 71,000 litres of diesel each year and is projected to reduce approximately 21,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over a decade. Chennai has also made significant strides by deploying 5,478 battery-operated E-rickshaws throughout all 15 zones, setting a notable benchmark. These vehicles, which include bins for waste segregation and audio systems for community awareness, cover more than 2.1 million households along 24,621 streets. Each day, the Chennai fleet travels around 40 km, contributing to an annual reduction of 15,160 tonnes in carbon emissions, while creating job opportunities for over 6,000 individuals and encouraging decentralized waste segregation at its source. In a similar vein, Indore has introduced 100 electric vehicles in its central areas, such as Rajwada, aiming to cut down 24,918 tonnes of carbon emissions each year. This initiative is expected to save the Indore Municipal Corporation roughly Rs. 5.97 crore (US$ 691,452) annually by reducing fuel and maintenance expenses. The vehicles are connected to an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) and are equipped with GPS for real-time tracking and improved oversight.