In a recent session of the Presidium of the State Council for Transport Development, Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin’s push for regional control over electric transportation and charging infrastructure. The remarks were conveyed by the Kremlin press service, underscoring a pivotal moment in how regions might shape the rollout of electric mobility across the country (Kremlin press service).
Putin reacted with curiosity to the proposal, expressing surprise that the authority to regulate electric transport had not yet been granted to regional leaders. He ultimately signaled his support for Sobyanin’s request, noting that the regulation of electric transport should be delegated to regional colleagues to ensure closer alignment with local conditions and needs. The president recalled that the issue appeared on the instruction list, prompting him to question whether it rightly belongs to the regions and recommending that the matter be examined within regional governments (Kremlin press service).
Previously, Putin highlighted public transportation as a priority area for Russia. He stressed that modernizing the public transport fleet stands as the most critical task in the overall development of the nation’s transportation system, indicating that a renewed urban and intercity fleet would drive efficiency, reduce emissions, and improve traveler experience across cities and provinces (Kremlin press service).
The discussion also touched on the operational life of municipal buses and the remuneration of drivers, signaling a broader agenda that links regulatory authority, fleet modernization, and the working conditions of transport workers. Observers noted that delegating regulatory powers to regional administrations could accelerate the pace of fleet renewal, route optimization, and the implementation of new electric charging networks in larger cities and smaller towns alike (Kremlin press service).