In a bid to spur the utilisation of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country, the Central government advised the state governments to exempt such vehicles from permit requirements.
A letter signed by joint secretary of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) Abhay Damle was sent to principal secretaries transport and transport commissioner of all states.
The letter advised them to operationalise the ministry’s notification by registering electric vehicle for passenger mobility without imposing any permit requirement.
“On 18th October, 2018 the ministry has exempted the electric vehicles from the requirements of passenger transport permit. However, most of the states have not implemented the notification and are still insisting for permits of EVs. This acts as a barrier against the proliferation of electric vehicles in passenger transport segment,” the notification said.
Additionally, the ministry also suggested states to either minimise the road tax for electric vehicles or exempt them from paying road tax for vehicle registration.
“States, which have not reduced or waived the road tax on EVs, may please consider waiving the road tax to the maximum possible extent on the electric vehicles so as to reduce the initial cost of the vehicle to the users,” read the notification which had several other announcements for promotion of EVs.
Under FAME-II scheme, the Department of Heavy Industries provided subsidies on the EVs being used as transport vehicles several states have also waived the road tax on EVs, thereby reducing the cost of acquisition of these eco-friendly vehicles.
In the recent past, MoRTH has taken several measures to promote the demand of electric vehicles which includes green registration plate for zero emission vehicles for distinct identity, exemption of EVs from the permit requirement for playing as transport vehicle and licence to drive e-scooters to those in the age group of 16-18 age.
However, the notification underlined that the benefit of having a green number plate on electric vehicles would be accrued to users only if states and municipalities provide incentives to such vehicles. The ministry, therefore, urged states to consider incentivising electric vehicles by waiving toll charges, parking fees as well as prioritizing parking slots and permitting the exclusive access to electric vehicles to the congested zones in the cities.
Other areas where state governments could promote the development of zero emission mobility are shared mobility segments and public transport, the notification mentioned.
“It is important to increase the share of zero emission electric vehicles in shared mobility as well as public transport. Since the public transport and shared mobility vehicles typically cover higher distances, their conversion into electric would bring considerable impact on the harmful emissions in the cities,” the notification added.
Additionally, the ministry also requested states to create preferential policies for adoption of electric vehicles through other incentives such as land allotment for charging infrastructure, mandating charging infrastructure in malls, housing societies and office complexes in addition to public parking spaces.
It also mentioned that state governments have to communicate the actions undertaken for promoting the induction of EVs to MoRTH by 31st August, 2019.
