Face of Nation : NEW DELHI: The road transport ministry has sought reports from states on the steps they have taken to push electric mobility after the Centre had issued notifications and advisories. These include doing away with permit system for commercial electric vehicles (EVs), reducing the road tax, priority parking for EVs and setting up charging facilities at public places.
In a letter to state transport secretaries and commission, joint secretary (transport) Abhay Damle has said the ministry on October 18 had notified exempting electric vehicles from the requirements of passenger transport permit.“However, most of the states have not implemented the notification and are still insisting for permits for EVs. This acts as a barrier against the proliferation of EVs in passenger transport segment. States are requested to operationalise the ministry’s notification by registering electric vehicles for passenger mobility without imposing any permit requirement,” the letter said.The Centre has sought response by August 31
While stating that several states have waived the road tax on EVs, the ministry has others to do so to the maximum possible extent so as to reduce the initial cost of these vehicles to the users.
The ministry has listed the number of steps it has taken to promote the use of EVs which include green registration plate for distinct identity, licence to drive e-scooters to persons in the age group 16 to 18.
“The benefit of having a green number plate on EVs would accrue to the users only if states and municipalities provide incentives to such vehicles in respect of waiver of toll charges, parking fee as well as priority parking slots and permit the exclusive access to EVs to the congested zones in the cities. The states are requested to take such measures so as to promote EVs,” the letter said.
The ministry has also suggested that states could create preferential policies for adoption of EVs through other incentives such as land allotment for charging infrastructure, mandating charging infrastructure in malls, housing societies and office complexes in addition to public parking places.
