Kailash Gahlot, the minister of transport for Delhi, stated on Monday that providing subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles above a certain point would not be “very healthy.”
He added that the government’s goal is to have one charging station inside a three-kilometer radius. In accordance with its Electric Vehicle Policy, which was introduced in 2020, the Delhi government has already provided incentives for electric vehicles totaling about Rs 100 crore, the most of any state.
Government assistance is provided for a cause. The demand for EVs in India and around the world is still growing, but the government wants to promote this sector due to its many benefits. India has a number of programmes and policies that offer financial benefits to lower the initial cost of purchase in an effort to facilitate the adoption of EVs. For instance, the FAME II scheme, which provides subsidies of up to Rs. 1.4 lakh.
“The most important target is creating a good network of charging stations. Delhi already has more than 2,000 charging stations. Around 100 charging stations are being created. We have a target of making a charging point available in a radius of three kilometres,” the minister said.
In addition to providing incentives, the government has exempted all EVs from paying road tax and registration fees. The minister also reaffirmed the government’s intention to establish one charging station within a 3-kilometer range.
The Covid epidemic cost the Delhi government two crucial years, according to Gahlot, but the city will still be able to meet its goal of 25 percent electric vehicle registrations by 2024.
Gahlot responded that many people are not embracing EVs owing to the range issue and the lack of charging stations along the motorways or outside Delhi when asked what was preventing the sales of electric vehicles despite numerous awareness campaigns and incentives.
