Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a structured policy on 7th August to promote Electric Vehicle (EV) industry with a three-tier vision of boosting the economy, reducing pollution and creating a pool of job opportunities. The CM started by developing the idea of making Delhi one of the major names in EV space in the next five years. As per the policy by 2024, 25% of all the new vehicles to be registered in Delhi are targeted to come from EV.
The policy states plan to establish 200 charging stations in one year and at least one charging station in every 3kms in every area of Delhi. The policy also seeks to create huge employment in EV space for which the youth seeking employment in the EV industry will also be provided training.
The policies are to be implemented for three years and can be renewed or reviewed over the course of time. According to the CM, the major hurdle in promoting EVs is the high acquisition cost. The policy is designed in such a direction as to provide financial benefits. Purchase of EV two-wheelers, E- rickshaws and freight vehicles will be provided with up to Rs. 30,000 and cars with up to Rs. 1,50,000 incentives respectively. The policy further provides for scrapping incentive, where the common man can exchange his old vehicle with EV and benefit from the lower purchasing cost. Further, the government will lower the interest rates on loans for commercial vehicles. Registration fees will also be ignored. The policies are applicable to every kind of electric vehicle.
For a systematic approach, the government announced for a state EV fund to manage the finances, a state EV board will be made and a dedicated EV cell to implement the entire policy. As Delhi has managed to reduce pollution by only 25% so far EV is the solution to achieve tri-dimensional progress, Kejriwal believes.