India to promote electric vehicles

With the crude oil prices hovering around US $140 per barrel and vehicle population increasing rapidly, the Government of India is planning to initiate a rigorous marketing strategy for battery-operated vehicles in the country.

Addressing a meeting with major battery-operated vehicle manufacturers on Tuesday, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Secretary V Subramanian stressed the need for opening of dealers’ network and charging stations for leasing batteries in major cities for these vehicles by the manufacturers.

With a view to work out a policy conducive for large use of battery-operated vehicles in the country, Subramanian said that the existing scheme will be changed to accommodate two-wheelers, which are also in its purview.

“At present only three and four-wheelers of institutions are eligible for this scheme. Besides this, the Ministry will give subsidy to a large network of charging stations established by the companies,” the Secretary said.

The Ministry informed that several battery-operated models of two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers are manufactured by a number of industries; however, the number of such vehicles is quite small in comparison to conventional fuel vehicles.

During the discussion, it was felt that while the running cost of battery-operated vehicles is cheaper than the petrol and diesel run vehicles, the replacement of batteries of battery-operated vehicles is quite costly.

The aspects of leasing of batteries and central charging facility for battery-operated vehicles were also considered as a step-forward for promotion of battery-operated vehicles.

Battery-operated vehicles manufacturers have assured all efforts for expanding their marketing network and creating awareness about these vehicles.

Delhi has already announced supporting 30 per cent of battery-operated vehicles costs and procedures for availing the incentives.