Bhopal: With zero percent subsidy and 4% RTO fee the price of the electric vehicles is almost Rs 20,000 to 25,000 higher in Madhya Pradesh comparing to the other neighbouring state like Chhattisgarh and others. Inspite of this, the sale of EVs in the state has recorded above 125% comparing last year.
States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh provides high subsidies on e-Vs. This is happening even when electric vehicle infrastructure including charging stations is far from satisfactory in the state capital even though the government is focusing on alternative fuel and pushing for e-Vs. The government efforts have led to an increase in number of e-vehicles on the roads but charging and repair facilities have failed to keep pace. At present, there are 6 charging stations in Bhopal.
The state government charges a nominal 1% of the cost as registration fee for e-vehicles as compared to 8% to 16% for petrol and diesel vehicles respectively obviously with an intention to promote their use but the absence of subsidy and high RTO fee has still made the cost of the EVs high.
Sudhanshu Sharma, owner of two-wheeler showrooms in Bhopal said that there is a high demand of EVs in the state capital. “Zero subsidy and RTO fee is a major concern due to which the cost of the EVs is high. Several other states are giving subsidy of Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 and even Rs 500 flat RTO fee on any kind of EVs. This will reduce the cost of the vehicles in the state also if it is implemented,” said Sharma.
As per the available data, 2130 two-wheelers, 2230 e-rickshaws, 220 four-wheelers and 201 goods carrier run by battery were registered with RTO but showroom owners said that the numbers could be much higher because the slow speed e-vehicles (with a speed of less than 40 kmph) are not required to register themselves with the RTO. The state has around 47,000 EVs registered with the RTO. The electric 2-wheelers are available between the range of Rs 78,000 to 2 lakh.
The state government has planned to integrate 2,200 electrics buses into the public transport. Shared e-rickshaws and electrical auto rickshaws have incentives like exemption from road taxes 100% waiver on parking charges at any municipal corporation run parking facility.
