Himachal Pradesh Continue to Advance Sustainable Tourism with Electric Mobility Initiative in Kinnaur

The Government of Himachal Pradesh, with support from ICLEI South Asia, continues to advance its commitment to sustainable transportation through the rapid expansion of electric mobility across the state. An Electric Vehicle (EV) Sensitisation Workshop was held in Kinnaur on 6 May 2025, aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of electric mobility, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors in the state.
Organised by ICLEI South Asia and Shakti Foundation, in collaboration with the Directorate of Transport Shimla, Regional Transport Officer Kinnaur, and the Tourism Department Kinnaur, the workshop brought together key local stakeholders to discuss the symbiotic relationship that EV integration, climate resilience, and tourism can have in the region. The dialogues emphasised how EV integration can build climate resilience and enhance green tourism to protect Kinnaur’s eco-sensitive environment. It emphasised the importance of adopting EVs to support both environmental preservation and boost the region’s economic resilience.
The ICLEI team underscored the state government’s efforts to promote sustainable tourism through initiatives like Green Corridors, designed to support and smoothen EV travel. The workshop encouraged hoteliers to install EV chargers at their properties so that tourists travelling with electric vehicles can charge them conveniently, thus not only improving charging infrastructure but also attracting more EV-driving tourists to Kinnaur, boosting eco-friendly tourism. Active participation from hoteliers and Charge Point Operators (CPOs) enriched the dialogue, with a focus on practical EV charger installation models such as revenue-sharing, lease-rent, and ownership approaches. Hoteliers expressed strong interest in setting up charging stations and appreciated the clarity and guidance provided, and laid the groundwork for future collaborations between hoteliers and CPOs. Additionally, the Directorate of Transport affirmed its commitment to providing technical support to local hoteliers for EV charger installations.
The discussions addressed the impact of climate change on tourism and positioned EV adoption as a sustainable, forward-looking solution.