New Delhi, October 16, 2024: In a gesture combining sustainability and cultural respect, German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, switched to an electric vehicle (EV) and marked the occasion with traditional Indian customs. Ackermann performed the ritual of smashing a coconut and tying ‘nimbu-mirchi’ (lemon and chili) to his new car, a practice believed to ward off evil spirits.
Speaking about his decision to switch to an EV, Ackermann emphasized the growing pollution in Delhi during the winter months and his desire to contribute to reducing it. “Germany and India are committed to a mutual partnership, which is called the partnership agreement to sustainable development… In winter time, pollution gets really bad and I felt that we should do contribution to reduce pollution. I wanted to have an EV and that is why my HQ accepted after a while that we get a new car which is an e-Car and therefore reduces pollution. That was the main aim,” he explained.
Ackermann’s switch to an electric vehicle aligns with the broader goals of sustainability and environmental consciousness, shared by both Germany and India.
Earlier, on October 12, Ackermann expressed his enthusiasm over the launch of the Federation of European Business in India (FEBI) in Delhi. He highlighted the significance of FEBI in strengthening the relationship between India and Europe, particularly in the context of free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations.
“It’s a great moment. I think FEBI is a very, very interesting network. It is now a network that has over a hundred companies from Europe, and it’s an umbrella organization of all the bilateral chambers of commerce. And I think in the time where Europe plays an always more and bigger role in India, it is a very, very interesting and important network. In the near future, we will see FEBI being very active in many fields, not least also when it comes to the FTA negotiations between India and the EU,” Ackermann told Media.
The ambassador’s move to adopt an electric vehicle underscores the shared commitment between Germany and India toward sustainable development and reducing pollution in urban environments.
