According to Economic Times, the firm, which recently awarded a tender for procuring 10,000 electric vehicles (EVs), said the contract was the first of many as there are over half a million vehicles with the Centre waiting to be replaced with those equipped with electric power trains. There are also opportunities in the corporate market for leasing EVs.
At present, the Electricity Act prohibits the sale of electricity by anyone except the distribution licensee. If a private firm sets up charging points for vehicles leased under the company name for use by employees, the regulatory hurdle can be eased and at the same time, environmental concerns will stand addressed.
Bulk acquisition of EVs by EESL would help bring down purchase price and spur demand. Overall, EESL plans to acquire 10000 electric vehicles for replacing the fleet in the power, coal, new and renewable energy ministries by June 2018.
