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Conclave at Karnataka’s largest EV expo outlines solutions for pollution, congestion, climate resilience and sustainable urban transport
Bengaluru’s transition toward clean, sustainable and efficient mobility took centre stage at a major conclave held during EVReady 2026, Karnataka’s largest electric vehicle expo, at Tripura Vasini, Palace Grounds. The three-day expo, being held from February 21 to 23, brought together industry leaders, sustainability experts and urban mobility specialists to deliberate on the future of transport and climate action in the city.
The conclave, themed “Sustainable Driving in Bengaluru - EVs for a Cleaner City,” focused on tackling two of Bengaluru’s biggest challenges, rising air pollution and increasing traffic congestion. The session highlighted how electric mobility, public transport, intelligent planning and behavioural change can collectively shape a healthier and more productive urban environment.
The panel featured Gayathri Reddy, Founder of KREATE Foundation and NOW Venture Studio; Chandra Nataraja, Co-founder and CEO of XTraffic; and Radha Chanchani, Senior Project Manager, Sustainable Cities Transport, WRI India. The session was moderated by noted actor, director, and activist Prakash Belawadi.
EVs as a Key Tool for Urban Transformation
Experts pointed out that Bengaluru has witnessed explosive population growth, expanding from about four million residents to nearly fifteen million today. This rapid expansion has placed immense pressure on roads, public spaces and transport infrastructure, making mobility reform an urgent priority.
The panel stressed that electric vehicles offer a practical pathway for reducing pollution, lowering fuel costs and improving operational efficiency. EVs, they said, generate nearly 40 percent less pollution compared to conventional petrol and diesel vehicles and are cheaper to operate, particularly for short-distance travel. Smaller electric vehicles, EV buggies and micro-mobility options were highlighted as effective solutions for last-mile connectivity, neighbourhood travel and short urban trips.
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Rethinking Personal Mobility and Congestion
Rather than focusing only on replacing conventional vehicles with electric ones, experts called for a fundamental rethink of how cities move people. The emphasis, they said, should shift from individual vehicle ownership to shared mobility, mass transit and compact urban design.
Urban planning must ensure that workplaces, homes, schools and public services are located closer together, enabling people to walk, cycle or use small EVs instead of relying heavily on private vehicles. This approach can significantly reduce traffic congestion while improving public health and productivity.
Experts also highlighted that while two-wheelers are witnessing faster adoption of EV technology, myths surrounding ownership costs, charging and reliability must be addressed through awareness, infrastructure development and supportive policies.
Public Transport, Automation and the Future of Mobility
Mass transit systems such as electric buses, metro rail and shared transport networks were described as essential to Bengaluru’s long-term mobility strategy. Experts predicted that future urban transport would increasingly rely on automated and driverless technologies, similar to the driverless trains already operating on metro lines.
They also forecast rapid growth in drone-based delivery systems over the next five years, which could reduce road congestion caused by last-mile delivery vehicles.
Pollution, Climate Action and Health Impacts
Data presented during the conclave revealed that the transport sector is currently the largest contributor to air pollution in Bengaluru. Experts warned that the city’s air quality levels have already reached worrying levels, comparable to those of Delhi, with Air Quality Index values touching around 150.
Pedestrians, cyclists and two-wheeler riders face the highest exposure to toxic air despite contributing least to pollution. Therefore, promoting walking, cycling, and shared EV-based public transport was highlighted as both a health and environmental necessity.
The conclave also referenced Bengaluru’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan, prepared with expert support, and the city’s first comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory, which confirmed the urgent need for transport sector reform.
Also Read:Don’t miss today at 3 PM: EV conclave on ‘Sustainable Driving in Bengaluru’..details here
Charging Infrastructure and Battery Innovation
One of the most pressing concerns discussed was charging anxiety. Limited charging stations, long charging durations and lack of standardisation across EV models continue to hinder widespread adoption.
Experts proposed battery-swapping systems, replaceable batteries, and dual-battery configurations as practical solutions. A strong case was made for standardising battery designs, connectors and software platforms across manufacturers, similar to the universal adoption of USB-C chargers in the mobile phone industry, to make EV usage seamless and scalable.
Such standardisation, they said, would drastically improve user confidence and operational convenience while encouraging faster market penetration.
Climate Change, Finite Resources and India’s EV Opportunity
Experts stressed that climate change mitigation requires rapid adaptation to shrinking natural resources. With fossil fuels projected to decline in availability, EVs represent a crucial shift toward long-term energy security.
India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 under the Paris Agreement was cited as a major policy driver for green transition. Experts noted that half the challenge of EV innovation is already addressed through technological advancements, while the remaining half lies in encouraging behavioural change and mass adoption.
They also pointed out that Bengaluru’s strong innovation ecosystem, backed by startups, academia, investors and government initiatives, positions the city as a living laboratory for climate-friendly solutions.
Sustainable Urban Design and Quality of Life
Sustainable mobility, experts said, is inseparable from land-use planning. Short neighbourhood trips should increasingly rely on zero-emission transport, while longer journeys must be supported by electric mass transit systems.
They proposed a new success metric for urban mobility, not just counting the number of EVs sold, but measuring the total kilometres of travel that are electrified. This approach would better reflect the actual environmental impact and progress toward sustainability.
Reduced noise pollution was also highlighted as a major benefit of EV adoption, paving the way for quieter cities and the possibility of low-decibel zones, in addition to low-emission zones.
A Collective Path Forward
The conclave concluded with a strong call for collaborative action involving government, industry, researchers, entrepreneurs and citizens. Experts emphasised that incremental changes made today will compound into significant climate and mobility gains over the next two decades.
By integrating clean energy, sustainable transport, urban planning and behavioural change, Bengaluru can position itself as a model city for green mobility and climate resilience.
