Chhattisgarh is the latest state to introduce an EV policy to ensure a healthy environment for a sustainable future for citizens, reduce carbon footprint and minimise the causes of rising concerns of rapidly increasing toxic gas emissions from vehicles. The policy was approved on Thursday and aims to develop the state as a manufacturing hub, protect the environment and create employment opportunities. The policy in which road tax and registration fee waivers are provisioned will also encourage the use of EVs, thereby ensuring relief to people bearing the brunt of rising fuel prices, an official said.
The okay to the Chhattisgarh EV policy was granted during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister at his official residence here, he said.
“Chhattisgarh will become a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles and their accessories in the coming years. The policy will create unlimited employment opportunities for the youth. The decision will also benefit buyers and manufacturers of electric vehicles and people engaged in research and development work in the sector,” a release quoted Baghel as saying.
The policy aims to ensure a healthy environment for a sustainable future for citizens, reduce carbon footprint and minimise the causes of rising concerns of rapidly increasing toxic gas emissions from vehicles, etc, the statement said. The operations of both commercial and non-commercial vehicles will be encouraged under the policy, it said. “Under the policy, the government has set a target of five years and aims to have 15 per cent of new registrations of vehicles, either under individual use or commercial use as EVs till 2027,” it said.
The state government has announced a waiver in the registration fees on the sale of EVs registered in the state during the policy period. Besides, there will be a complete road tax exemption on all EVs purchased during the first two years from the date of commencement of this policy, it was stated.
“The state government will provide capital subsidy of 25 per cent to the selected energy operators on charging equipment/machinery to the first 300 fast-charging stations commissioned in the state up to a maximum of Rs 10 lakh per station,” it said. The government will also provide complete SGST reimbursement to energy operators for purchase of batteries to be used in switching / swapping stations, while 100 per cent SGST will be reimbursed on the sale of electric buses and electric freight vehicles sold and registered in the state, it said.
Charging stations will be built in government and private buildings, the release said.
