One battery operated vehicle helps offset emission of 41 tonnes Co2 per day

CHENNAI: Every trip taken by a Greater Chennai Corporation battery-powered vehicle helps offset the emission of 41.5 tonnes of CO2 a day, with the fleet of 5,478 vehicles helping offset emission of around 15,160 tonnes of CO2 and enabling the civic body earn carbon credits that can be traded.
Officials who calculated this after accounting for the emissions produced during the generation of electricity used for BOVs are also calculating carbon emissions saved by using cleaner energy in solid waste management projects like eir Bio-CNG plants and Bio-mining projects.
The offsetting of 1 tonne of CO2 emissions earns a carbon credit, and that converting all vehicles to BOVs can earn at least 15,000 credits. N Mahesan, chief engineer, said the consultant to assist the corporation earn credits was appointed in October 2022. “Once earned, they can be traded,” he said.
Carbon credits typically assist an organisation earn money if emissions are less than what are offset through various approved projects. The credits can be exchanged for money with private companies and industries.The corporation is confident it will receive credit and the consultant will apply to the registered global bodies by the end of this year. Urbaser Sumeet, a GCC-hired contractor which uses BOVs, stated that, in addition to credits, the conversion to BOVs has ensured timely collection and transportation. “They produce more output and provide better conservation services.” Furthermore, because they have separate bins, it will improve source segregation and raise awareness to instill the habit of source segregation in the general public,” said one official.