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Delhi Cabinet approves policy on electric vehicle to curb pollution
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government on Monday approved a policy on electric vehicles (EVs) with a focus on two-wheelers and commercial vehicles to lead the change to switch, at a time when the state is grappling with severe levels of pollution.
“The Delhi electric vehicle policy has been passed by the cabinet today. This policy in its scope and vision is very ambitious. Pollution levels are very high in Delhi and vehicles have a lot to contribute to that. We had circulated the first draft in November 2018. After several rounds of discussions and taking their comments, this policy has been made. By 2024, we want that 25% vehicles be electric vehicles. The aim is to reduce air pollution and create large scale jobs. The emphasis is on two-wheelers and public transport because they operate more,” Kejriwal said at a state cabinet briefing
By 2024, one-fourth of the new vehicles registered in the state should be electric, Kejriwal said, adding that the policy will have special emphasis on having more electric two-wheelers, buses, and goods carriers, as these are one of the key contributors to air pollution. “Currently, electric two wheelers are less 0.2% and three wheelers are close to zero today. We hope that in the next year there will be 35,000 vehicles and 250 charging stations. In five years, we hope that 5,00,000 electric vehicles will be registered,” he added. The government will also set up a state EV fund and board to manage it.
Subsidy amounting to ₹30,000 per vehicle will be given to electric auto rickshaw and e-rickshaw, along with subsidy on loans, the minister said, adding that ride hailing service providers such as Ola, Uber will get special provisions for electric two-wheelers. The AAP government had come out with a draft report in November last year. The government is also looking to put in place measures to support the creation of jobs in driving, selling, financing, servicing and charging of EVs.
In September, a report by Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi and Rocky Mountain Institute had suggested that Delhi will need to register approximately 5,00,000 new EVs in the next five years to achieve the target of having 25% EVs and these EVs are estimated to avoid approximately ₹60 billion in oil and liquid natural gas imports and 4.8 million tonnes of CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions.
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