All electric vehicles in the state of Maharashtra will enjoy exemption from road tax and registration fees.
The Indian Government planned to shift to electric vehicles by the year 2030. The first move in this direction was made by the government opening a tender to procure 10,000 electric cars to replace the petrol and diesel units being used by the officials. The tender was bagged by Tata Motors and Mahindra and Mahindra last year. With the government’s strategies in place, all auto manufacturers started investing in electric vehicles with Suzuki taking the boldest step of them all – manufacturing lithium-ion batteries and electric motors locally at their plant in Gujrat. As the manufacturers ready their perspective electric vehicles, the government took a U-turn last week announcing that there will be no policy or incentives for the electric vehicles in the nation. Such moves have confused the automakers and the Society of Auto Manufacturers (SIAM) has been constantly in touch with the concerned government authorities to build a concrete map for the shift to electric. Read along to find more about this.
Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy – Consumer Benefits
The Maharashtra government has come ahead with a bold move to provide incentives for the one opting to shift to electric mobility. Under the special announcement, the government has exempted all-electric vehicles from paying road tax and registration fees. In addition these benefits, the owners also get a maximum grant of 15% of the cost of their vehicle if they wish to scrap it at the end of its life-cycle.
These announcement made by the government support the faster adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles in the state. The electric vehicles enjoy subsidised prices, as well as the two-wheelers, enjoy subsidy up to INR 5,000. The three-wheelers too get a subsidy of up to INR 12,000 and the four wheelers get benefits of up to INR 1 lakh. Although these subsidies are not available up front, rather the owners will get the subsidy amount directly transferred into their accounts within three months of registration.
Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy – Commercial Benefits
The government of Maharashtra will also be setting up electric charging stations in the state. The initial target cities being Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Thane, Aurangabad and Nashik. The first 250 charging stations to be set up will enjoy a subsidy of 25% amounting to a max of INR 10 lakh per unit. Current petrol pumps will also be able to set up charging docks in their facility if it is deemed safe to do so. Even the electricity consumed by these charging stations will be provided at the lowest rates i.e. the residential consumption charge instead of commercial consumption price.
The Maharashtra government aims to see fresh investment in electric vehicles and setting up their much-required infrastructure. With the scheme discussed above, the government intends to spend INR 25,000 crore while citing new job opportunities for 1 lakh prospective applicants over the next five years.
Stay tuned for more info on upcoming electric policies by the Indian government.
