By Kamlesh
The Indian EV industry really needs support, this was illustrated in my earlier blog. Any news that provides hope for these clean, quiet vehicles is always welcome. Today, i plan to showcase some changes that are happening in the Indian EV industry and also highlight certain announcements made.
The e2o and the iconic India Gate in Delhi Delhi Government rocks!
The government of Delhi is offering subsidies on each electric vehicle sold in Delhi.
This should bring down the initial cost of EV's significantly in Delhi. Assuming the Mahindra e2o costs Rs 650000 on average, this 15% discount would shave off around Rs 97000 to get the cost to Rs 5,53,000 (without the monthly energy charges)
While the Hero Photon electric scooter costs Rs 54,000, these discounts would reduce the cost by Rs 8000 in Delhi.
These rates are attractive for the residents of Delhi, as the annual cost savings on Petrol are significant. Some of our readers have shared their stories here and save around Rs 60000 annually by driving an electric car.
The government of Delhi is offering subsidies on each electric vehicle sold in Delhi.
- The government will provide a 15% rebate on the MRP on the base price
- There will Zero VAT charges
- 50% rebate in registration taxes for electric cars and two wheelers
- 50% discount in road tax
- The net amount is to be credited to the account of the buyer within two months from the date of purchase of the vehicle
- The offer is valid for both electric cars and two wheelers.
This should bring down the initial cost of EV's significantly in Delhi. Assuming the Mahindra e2o costs Rs 650000 on average, this 15% discount would shave off around Rs 97000 to get the cost to Rs 5,53,000 (without the monthly energy charges)
While the Hero Photon electric scooter costs Rs 54,000, these discounts would reduce the cost by Rs 8000 in Delhi.
These rates are attractive for the residents of Delhi, as the annual cost savings on Petrol are significant. Some of our readers have shared their stories here and save around Rs 60000 annually by driving an electric car.
Tata Power providing EV charging points Free Charging Stations in Delhi
Tata Power Delhi Distribution has installed Electric Vehicle Charging Centers at five different locations spread across in its area of distribution. These charging centers will provide access to free of cost charging to owners of Mahindra Reva Electric Cars.
These charging centers will provide access to free of cost charging to owners of Mahindra Reva Electric Cars.
Locations of Tata Electric Vehicle Charging Points:
This is the first time, we are seeing corporates in India helping our Industry.
Its a great move by Tata Power in Delhi. Hope more corporates follow suit!
Tata Power Delhi Distribution has installed Electric Vehicle Charging Centers at five different locations spread across in its area of distribution. These charging centers will provide access to free of cost charging to owners of Mahindra Reva Electric Cars.
These charging centers will provide access to free of cost charging to owners of Mahindra Reva Electric Cars.
Locations of Tata Electric Vehicle Charging Points:
- TPDDL 66KV Grid Sub-Station [RG-1 66 KV GRID]
- TPDDL 66KV Grid Sub-Station Pitampura-1
- TPDDL 33KV Grid Todapur (Pusa) [PUSA 33 KV GRID],
Near Chidya Colony, Todapur - TPDDL 33 KV Grid Delhi University [DELHI UNIVERSITY 33 KV GRID],
Near Police Station - TPDDL 66KV Grid Sub-Station [Rohini Grid – 5, 66 KV]
Sector-15, Rohini, Near Sachdeva Public School
This is the first time, we are seeing corporates in India helping our Industry.
Its a great move by Tata Power in Delhi. Hope more corporates follow suit!
Norway - Best support for EV's Central Government Subsidies imminent
Our BJP government will soon start offering subsidies on each electric vehicle sold nationwide
While state government subsidies like the ones offered by Delhi will help, nothing can beat central government initiatives to have a long term plan of moving away from oil.
We could expect something during the next budget, which would be a good start.
Our BJP government will soon start offering subsidies on each electric vehicle sold nationwide
- The government, which is readying a Rs 14,000-crore scheme to push green vehicles.
- The heavy industry ministry, which has moved a proposal for clearance by the finance ministry, has suggested that the maximum subsidy of 35% should be given to pure electric vehicles, while a 25% benefit should be provided for plug-in vehicles that can drive for at least 15km at one go.
- The Government’s expenditure on this scheme will be Rs 14,000 crore till 2020
- Savings in oil usage has been estimated at Rs 60,000 crore over a six year period
- "The entire process, which will include cabinet approval, should take around two to three months," said an official
While state government subsidies like the ones offered by Delhi will help, nothing can beat central government initiatives to have a long term plan of moving away from oil.
We could expect something during the next budget, which would be a good start.
Hero Electric e-bikes support battery swapping Battery Swap stations Pilot Project in Goa
The Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) is in talks with the government for a pilot project for electric two-wheelers in Goa.
According to Sohinder Gill, director, SMEV and CEO, Hero Electric, the pilot project envisages providing 300-500 electric two-wheelers without the batteries. These two-wheelers will be powered by lithium ion batteries made available at 16 battery-swapping stations. “There will be trolleys at petrol bunks with eight charged batteries. Anyone who wants to rent a battery pays Rs 20 and keeps the battery for as long as he wants. At every 5-10km, there will be another trolley of lithium ion batteries at a petrol bunk where a user can deposit the used battery and replace it with a charged one should he want travel 200km. So the rider is buying a charge and not the battery,” explains Gill.
SMEV has submitted a proposal to the Heavy Industries Ministry that has been forwarded to the Goa government.
The target for the eco-friendly pilot project will be hotel owners and taxi operators.
The Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) is in talks with the government for a pilot project for electric two-wheelers in Goa.
According to Sohinder Gill, director, SMEV and CEO, Hero Electric, the pilot project envisages providing 300-500 electric two-wheelers without the batteries. These two-wheelers will be powered by lithium ion batteries made available at 16 battery-swapping stations. “There will be trolleys at petrol bunks with eight charged batteries. Anyone who wants to rent a battery pays Rs 20 and keeps the battery for as long as he wants. At every 5-10km, there will be another trolley of lithium ion batteries at a petrol bunk where a user can deposit the used battery and replace it with a charged one should he want travel 200km. So the rider is buying a charge and not the battery,” explains Gill.
SMEV has submitted a proposal to the Heavy Industries Ministry that has been forwarded to the Goa government.
The target for the eco-friendly pilot project will be hotel owners and taxi operators.
Mahindra Reva inaugurates electric vehicles charging station at Bengaluru International Airport
Bangalore airport EV charging station Bangalore International Airport Limited will become the first Indian airport to have EV charging infrastructure in the country. The facilities are offered exclusively to Mahindra e2o customers, free of cost with an additional benefit of 20% discount on parking charges.
Commenting on the initiative, Chetan Maini, Chief Executive Officer, Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are happy to partner with Bangalore International Airport Limited and appreciate their belief in our vision of the future of mobility. Facilitating free EV charging at the airport will help customers to do affordable airport commutes from various parts of the city without any range anxiety. We look forward to working with the government and other entities to create an EV ecosystem for the adoption of zero emission mobility for cleaner and greener cities.”
Commenting on the initiative, Chetan Maini, Chief Executive Officer, Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. said, “We are happy to partner with Bangalore International Airport Limited and appreciate their belief in our vision of the future of mobility. Facilitating free EV charging at the airport will help customers to do affordable airport commutes from various parts of the city without any range anxiety. We look forward to working with the government and other entities to create an EV ecosystem for the adoption of zero emission mobility for cleaner and greener cities.”
Ashok Leyland to manufacture electric buses in India
Optare electric Bus Ashok Leyland will start manufacturing the Optare range of electric buses in India sometime next year.
The company will consider the plant at Alwar, Rajasthan, or the one in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, Dasari added. It has bus manufacturing facility at both the locations.
The buses would be run only for state governments, he said, adding that once charged, the vehicles would be able run for 200 km. Cost of buses will be around Rs. 2-3 crore. It is only made for State governments and for tarmac applications where these buses can be run inside the airport.
With electric buses in our cities, lets be ready to breathe clean air in our cities soon!
The company will consider the plant at Alwar, Rajasthan, or the one in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, Dasari added. It has bus manufacturing facility at both the locations.
The buses would be run only for state governments, he said, adding that once charged, the vehicles would be able run for 200 km. Cost of buses will be around Rs. 2-3 crore. It is only made for State governments and for tarmac applications where these buses can be run inside the airport.
With electric buses in our cities, lets be ready to breathe clean air in our cities soon!
Delhi and electric rickshaws
Much needed clean air in our cities The government, which had banned e-rickshaws in Delhi few months back, has now reportedly released a notification last week stating that the three-wheeled vehicles can carry only four passengers excluding the driver, and transport loads less than 40 kilogram.
All registered e-rickshaw associations will need to submit the models of the vehicle to their respective state transport authorities before Nov. 30
"Every driving licence issued or renewed by a licensing authority to drive an E-rickshaw or E-cart shall be valid for a period of not more than three years from the date of issue, as the case may be, or till the validity of the driving licence, whichever is earlier," the final draft issued by Joint Secretary, Transport, Sanjay Bandopadhyaya said.
The legalisation of e-rickshaws is welcome news for Delhi.
All registered e-rickshaw associations will need to submit the models of the vehicle to their respective state transport authorities before Nov. 30
"Every driving licence issued or renewed by a licensing authority to drive an E-rickshaw or E-cart shall be valid for a period of not more than three years from the date of issue, as the case may be, or till the validity of the driving licence, whichever is earlier," the final draft issued by Joint Secretary, Transport, Sanjay Bandopadhyaya said.
The legalisation of e-rickshaws is welcome news for Delhi.
Final Words
Kudos to the Delhi government for helping the EV industry. Delhi EV buyers will reap the benefits even more, once the central government launches its own schemes. Tata power launching five EV stations is a first in India - where a corporate entity is helping the industry by installing charging stations. The sooner we see clean buses in Indian cities, the better. So the news of Ashok Leyland manufacturing electric buses will give us better hope for the future.
And last but not least, electric rickshaws in Delhi are re-instated with proper government rules and regulations. This will help many e-rickshaw owners get back to work and also provide clean transport in Delhi.
Kudos to the Delhi government for helping the EV industry. Delhi EV buyers will reap the benefits even more, once the central government launches its own schemes. Tata power launching five EV stations is a first in India - where a corporate entity is helping the industry by installing charging stations. The sooner we see clean buses in Indian cities, the better. So the news of Ashok Leyland manufacturing electric buses will give us better hope for the future.
And last but not least, electric rickshaws in Delhi are re-instated with proper government rules and regulations. This will help many e-rickshaw owners get back to work and also provide clean transport in Delhi.