MUMBAI: Planning to buy an e-vehicle? You could expect some goodies coming your way. The state has come out with a government resolution to set up a panel to offer incentives to prospective buyers of electric vehicles (EV) in the state in the coming months, under Electric Vehicle Policy, 2021. The panel held its first meeting at Mantralaya on Monday.
Sources said that the aim is to encourage more registrations of EVs across Maharashtra, with the population already touching 2.4 lakh. Mumbai has 22,000 electric vehicle registrations.
State transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar said on Monday that a budget of Rs 25 crore is to be disbursed to offer incentives to e-two wheeler and e-car buyers across the state by March 31. “The panel will decide on procedures for disbursal of budgetary provision for incentivising electric vehicles. Another budget of Rs 100 crore is in the pipeline and will be decided for disbursal in the coming months,” he said.
Bhimawar is a member in the new panel that is being headed by principal secretary (transport) Parrag Jaiin Nainutia. MSRTC managing director Shekhar Channe is also a member of the committee. The GR, however, mentioned that when it comes to MSRTC e-bus procurement, its managing director will not be part of this decision-making process.
EV experts said that the government should continue giving incentives for electric vehicle purchase for a longer period to push up numbers. According to Kaustubh Gosavi, consultant (sustainable cities & transport),WRI India, the state’s demand incentives under the EV policy 2021 have played a huge role in pushing sales of EVs, especially in the two-wheeler segment.
Maharashtra has specific targets for electrification of fleets such as last-mile delivery vehicles, aggregator cabs, government vehicles, etc. The state has also pushed for creation of charging infrastructure in new residential buildings, offices, parking lots, malls, etc.
Transport experts said that with government push for e-charging infra at petrol pumps, highways, malls and a latest circular by registrar of housing societies, making it mandatory for managing committees to grant NOC for e-charging facility in seven days, a huge rise in EV population was expected in 2023.
Tata Power, which plans to launch electric vehicles for its staff on Tuesday, has also planned installation of at least 1,500 EV charging stations in the state, with up to 80% of them on major highways and Expressways, a senior official said. This is besides state power utility, MSEDCL, expediting installation of 2,375 charging stations in the state.
