According to the e-vahan portal of the central government, 2,76,217 in Uttar Pradesh, 1,32,302 in Delhi, 82,045 in Karnataka, 64,241 in Bihar, 53,159 in Maharashtra, 47,480 in Rajasthan, 45,368 in Tamil Nadu, Assam 43,707 electric vehicles are registered in India and 43,432 in West Bengal. Recent data tabled in the Lok Sabha shows that Gujarat ranks 12th on the list with 17,593 electric vehicles as of January 31, 2022.
GST reduced on e-vehicles
The GST rate on electric vehicles (EVs) has been reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent and on chargers or charging stations of electric vehicles from 18 per cent to 5 per cent. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme of Rs 25,938 crore announced for automobiles and auto components will also give impetus to the production of electric vehicles. This scheme is implemented for five years.
In order to boost the adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles in the country, the Union Government in 2015 launched the Faster Modulation of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme in India on a pan-India basis. At present, the second phase of the FAME scheme has been implemented for a period of five years with effect from April 1, 2019, with a total budgetary support of Rs 10,000 crore.
E-vehicles will cost less
In May 2021, the central government approved the PLI scheme for manufacturing advanced chemistry cells in the country to reduce battery prices in the country, which would result in reduction in the cost of electric vehicles. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has announced that battery-operated electric vehicles will be given green license plates, while also exempting them from permit requirements.
According to the statement issued by the ministry, MoRTH issued a notification advising states to waive off road tax on electric vehicles, which in turn will help reduce the initial cost of EVs.
Demand for electric vehicles will increase in the country
In the general budget presented on February 1, the central government has made several important announcements for electric vehicles. Although the budget has not announced to increase or decrease the prices of electric vehicles, but the central government will implement low battery swapping policy for electric vehicles, which will make it easier for the electric vehicle to travel long distances without charging it again and again. Will go
Apart from this, a policy has been prepared in the budget to promote the use of clean fuel and electric vehicles in the public transport sector. Under this policy, the private sector will be encouraged to make batteries for electric vehicles. In addition, special mobility zones will be developed for electric vehicles and industries will be developed for semiconductor production.
The Government of India will soon announce a production-linked incentive for making electrolysers so that green hydrogen can be produced locally. The Ministry of Renewable Energy along with the Ministry of Power has prepared a National Hydrogen Policy which is likely to be presented in the first week of February. Under this policy, a policy can be formulated to provide free electricity to the enterprises producing hydrogen as an incentive.
Let us inform that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced at the Glasgow Climate Summit held in November 2021 that India will reduce carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030 and meet 50 percent of its energy needs from renewable energy sources.