Karnataka Cabinet has cleared Karnataka Electric Vehicle & Energy Storage Policy 2017 with a clear plan to make Bengaluru the electric vehicle capital of India.
Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meet, Karnataka Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister TB Jayachandra said the policy aims to reduce pollution. The policy was formulated by the Major and Medium Industries Department after consulting the stakeholders, including vehicle manufacturing industries.
The key objectives of the Policy are: To maintain the lead share of Karnataka as a preferred destination for attracting investments in manufacture of Electric Vehicle. To attract investments of ₹310 billion and create 55,000 jobs.
RV Deshpande, Minister for Large and Medium Industries and Infrastructure Development, said that the policy is the result of the combined effort of the government and key industry players through roundtables organised by Carnegie India and a series of workshops held during the last four to five months.
Amendments will be made to building by-laws for providing mandatory charging infrastructure in all high-rise buildings. A special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be created to set up charging centres across the Bengaluru city. ‘Karnataka Electric Mobility Research & Innovation Centre’ will be set up to extend the necessary support.
