Prince William is set to announce Mahindra, India's largest manufacturer of electric autorickshaws, as one of the first 15 finalists for his Earthshot Prize. The initiative aims to find, celebrate, and scale solutions to repair the planet. The winners, who will each receive £1 million, are scheduled to be announced in Mumbai in November.
Tuk tuks are a common mode of transport across Asia, with an estimated ten million operating in India alone. Traditionally, their reliance on fossil fuels contributes significantly to air pollution in densely populated urban areas. However, the emergence of electric versions, powered by under-seat batteries, is transforming the landscape. In India, electric autorickshaws now account for 68 percent of new three-wheeler sales.
Prince William highlighted Mahindra's work, stating that the company offers a practical solution already operating at scale and changing urban mobility. "Seeing solutions like this growing in India gives me real optimism," he told The Times.
Mahindra has already deployed 400,000 electric autorickshaws and aims to reach one million by 2031, with plans for global expansion into markets including Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, and Africa. The company estimates that its vehicles have already prevented 180,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, an impact equivalent to planting 8.3 million trees.
Suman Mishra, chief executive of Mahindra Last Mile Mobility, noted that sustainability does not require expensive or sophisticated solutions, stating, "When the right choice for the climate is also the right economic choice for the customer then scale is inevitable." Experts suggest that a widespread shift to electric autorickshaws could lead to a global decrease in demand for petrol.
Unlike many previous Earthshot recipients which focused on startups and charities, Mahindra is a well-established corporation founded in 1945, with a global valuation of approximately £29 billion. Jason Knauf, chief executive of Earthshot, emphasized the role of large corporations like Mahindra in environmental progress, particularly noting India's significant contribution to global climate action.