In a bid to push the use of electric vehicles in the state, the Karnataka government has tied up with NITI Aayog and the United Kingdom (UK) to launch a web portal ‘EV Jagruthi’.
According to the state government, the new portal will help in promoting the use of electric vehicles (EV) and provide citizens with all information related to buying and use of EVs.
As per the state government the new portal will provide citizens with state-specific information pertaining to e-mobility besides assisting the general public in switching over to EVs by providing insight into incentives, support mechanisms and e-mobility initiatives.
The web portal was launched by state energy minister V Sunil Kumar along with British High commissioner to India Alex Ellis.
“The state government is promoting the usage of EVs in Bengaluru and other parts of Karnataka. We are launching a state-wide campaign from June 23 to June 30 on the setting up of charging centres in all parts of the state. Currently, we have more than 1,000 charging stations and we hope to build at least 3,000 charging points in the coming days. Bescom has been made the nodal agency in Karnataka for commissioning new charging points,” Kumar said.
Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India said, “India plays a greater role in the promotion of EVs in today’s world because what India does today will determine what happens to the world given the size of the population, economy and the rate at which it is growing. The UK is keen on partnering with India for EV acceleration particularly in Karnataka as the city of Bengaluru has emerged as the fastest-growing city.” Referring to the history, Ellis said,
Energy Department additional chief secretary G Kumar Naik explained, “The objective behind making Bengaluru an EV lighthouse city was to make it a model city to other cities and towns in India.” So far, Bescom has commissioned 136 EV chargers across Bengaluru and witnessed more than 6,000 transactions per month with recorded energy sales of 30,000 kWh worth Rs 2.5 lakh.