In a major push to electric vehicles and e-rickshaws, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has said that this technology needs to be given precedence over conventional fuel like petrol and diesel.
During a review of electric vehicles by the department of infrastructure and industrial development on Thursday, the CM proposed an exemption in road tax and registration fees in order to promote electric vehicles. Assessing the proposed amendments to the Uttar Pradesh Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Policy-2019, the CM said that since electric vehicle manufacturing was an emerging sector, it was necessary to liberalise the policy and encourage mega investments.
He said: “I have directed officials to make policy efforts to encourage manufacturing of electric vehicles in the state for a better future. Proposals have been received from various international automobile companies for setting up electric vehicle manufacturing units in the state. We will be providing all possible help to the companies. This will promote industrial investment in the state.”
The CM said that a centre of excellence will be established at the earliest for research and development, testing and certification in the electric vehicle industry. To encourage the industry, the CM said that private electric vehicle parks should be given benefits under the state’s private industrial park scheme and other incentives which have been provided to the bulk drug parks.
For charging e-vehicles, the CM said that a revenue sharing model should be used for setting up charging stations. He also said that there was a need for giving capital subsidy to industries in place of the current rules of SGST reimbursement.
The CM said that e-rickshaws should be promoted over diesel tempos and autos to reduce pollution. For this, he added, drivers of diesel rickshaws should be provided loans under various schemes of the central or state government related to self-employment for purchase of e-rickshaws.
