Clarity required on infra for e-vehicles, says UNEP

MUMBAI: While Maharashtra has received investment proposals worth Rs 30,000 crore under its electric vehicle policy, corporates have expressed their inability to set up charging stations for e-buses. About the government’s plan to retrofit 5,000 buses to battery-powered ones, there is little or no clarity, said industry leaders.

The state government released its first electric vehicle policy by amending the Motor Vehicles Act. As per the policy, battery-operated cars would get incentives from the government to push the scheme. However, The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is reviewing the policy, expressed a few doubts over the infrastructure required to run battery-operated vehicles.

At the same time, manufacturers of electric vehicles reportedly proposed an investment of Rs 10,000 crore in the state. Therefore, the UNEP has asked the government to chalk out a plan in which current public transport can be converted into electric vehicles to boost the policy. In a note to the government, UNEP representatives said, “We need better clarity on who will install the charging stations for the e-bus launch. Better understating is needed to complete these modalities between partners and stakeholders.”

The state government has also proposed installation of electric charging points at parking zones, residential areas, bus depots, railway stations and other public places. The government will install such points, should the demand for charging points in certain areas come from individuals, groups of citizens or organisations. The government launched its electric vehicle policy with a view to making the state a pioneer in the manufacture of such vehicles.

An industries department official said, “Electric vehicles are environment friendly and they are the future of transport. In Nagpur, a pilot project of electric auto-rickshaws was launched, which received a good response.”