Maha to promote electric vehicles
App-based taxis like Ola, Uber to get incentives to go electric, become battery-operated.
Maharashtra is going to accelerate the use of electric vehicles in the state by amending the Motor Vehicles Act. The state is planning to give app-based taxis like Ola and Uber incentives to go electric in the amendment. Battery-operated cars will get incentives from the government to push the proposed scheme.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis held a high-level meeting on November 27, in Mantralaya, in which he ordered changes in the existing 2012 ordinance on battery-driven cars. The approved amendments to the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Act will offer greater incentives to battery-operated vehicles of engine capacity 980cc and above. An existing resolution, dated May 8, 2012 will also be amended, an official from the transport department said.
“Electric vehicle is the future transport. It is environment-friendly and the people have started using it, though in very small numbers. In Nagpur, a pilot project of electric autorickshaws was launched, which received a good response. The state will include it in the policy to encourage the use of the electric cars,” the official added. On bringing app-based taxies under the scheme, the official said they have become popular among commuters. “The state will give incentives to the app-based taxies so that they can convert or have the electric vehicles in their fleet,” the official said.
On Wednesday, Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari said in a private programme in Delhi that the NITI Aayog is going to submit a report on electric vehicles with suggestions and recommendations for concessions to the industry. Interestingly, the proposal is likely to get the support of Shiv Sena, as Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray inaugurated electric buses in the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) this week.
The Central Motor Vehicles Act, 1989, section 2(u) has already recognised ‘Battery-Operated Vehicle’ as per a definition clarified on September 16, 2005. The act says, “Battery-Operated Vehicle means a vehicle adapted for use upon roads and powered exclusively by an electric motor whose traction energy is supplied exclusively by traction battery installed in the vehicle.”