Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday announced the ‘Gujarat Electric Vehicle Policy 2021’ which is expected to encourage people to buy at least two lakh electric vehicles in the state in the next four years.
To encourage people to turn to e-vehicles, the state government would provide subsidies ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1.50 lakh on the purchase of vehicles under this policy, which will remain effective for four years, Rupani told reporters.
The state government estimates that around 1.10 lakh electric two-wheelers, 70,000 three-wheelers, and 20,000 four-wheeler vehicles will be used in Gujarat in the next four years, he said.
The state government will provide a subsidy of up to Rs 20,000 on the purchase of an electric two-wheeler, Rs 50,000 for a three-wheeler, and Rs 1.50 lakh on the purchase of a four-wheeler, he said.
The new policy will help in saving fuel worth Rs 5 crore every year, Rupani said, adding that carbon dioxide emission will be reduced by six lakh tonnes annually.
The policy also focuses on providing battery charging infrastructure for e-vehicles. While 278 charging stations, mostly on highways, have been approved, the state government is planning to add another 250 in near future.
“In all, we are aiming for 500 charging stations, which can be set up at petrol pumps or roadside hotels too. This will help electric car owners to travel long distances. We will also provide capital subsidy on the investment made by entrepreneurs to set up such charging stations,” Rupani said.
The CM expressed confidence that the policy would encourage the auto-ancillary industry and manufacturing of electric batteries in the state.
He claimed Gujarat is the first state to provide subsidies on the purchase of e-vehicles, adding other states only provide road tax or registration fee waiver, which is very nominal.
(VP)
