The government is all set to bring back the policy for issuing permits for commercial electric vehicles (EVs) at zero fee.
The Centre had discarded the practice over the last two years in order to push penetration of green vehicles. However, now it has decided to revert to the old method of issuing such permits.
According to a TOI report, the decision can be attributed to issues flagged by the commercial EV owners. The owners had claimed that they were harassed by the local state transport officials for not having permit documents despite the central government notification specified that permits are not needed for these vehicles.
Sources said the issue was brought to the notice of road transport minister Nitin Gadkari and at a recent meeting with ministry officials, he directed the department to notify the new norm.
“This will be a practical solution to ensure that commercial EV owners or drivers are not subjected to any harassment. They will get the document without any charge. This will work as an official proof and help avoid any confrontation,” TOI quoted an official as saying.
The ministry had issued a notification exempting battery operated vehicles and the ones driven on methanol or ethanol from the requirement of permit for carrying passengers or goods on October 18, 2018.
Some of the transporters said that the government needs to ensure that all states abide by the rule notified by the Centre.
“The permit for EVs should be issued automatically as and when one registers a commercial vehicle. The government must ensure that none needs to apply for such permits,” said one of the EV bus operators.
(With inputs from TOI)
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