The state government has set a deadline of April 2019 for replacing not only the government’s fleet but also the vehicles used by its staffers
The Government in Karnataka aims to replace around 50 per cent of the petrol and diesel vehicles used by the state government staffers in Bengaluru to eco-friendly electric vehicles (EV) by 2019.
In a move to give push to the objective to replace petrol and diesel vehicles with efficient and environment-friendly electric vehicles, Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy inaugurated charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) in Vidhana Soudha, the seat of state legislature in Bengaluru.
Deadline set for April 2019
The state government has set a deadline of April 2019 for replacing a minimum of least 50 per cent with electric vehicles, of not only the government’s fleet but also the vehicles used by its staffers.
The push for electric vehicles, particularly in the government offices and by its staffers, comes at a time when Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara has been considering putting a ban on registration of new vehicles in the city of Bengaluru.
In September last year, the state government had announced the Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Policy 2017 for promoting the use of environment-friendly personal transportation. The policy is in accordance with the vision of central government to make India an all-electric vehicle market by 2031.
Electric Vehicle Policy
The Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Policy 2017 of Karnataka Government envisages to make the state a hub for producing alternative fuel vehicles and to push the initiative of ‘Make in Karnataka’. Karnataka is the first state of India to introduce an Electric Vehicle Policy.
The Electric Vehicle Policy is aimed at reducing dependence on the use of fossil fuels and to cut down pollution levels. It has set a target of attracting investments worth Rs 31000 crore (US$ 4.83 billion) and generating employment opportunities for around 55,000 people.
Under the initiative, the state government will set up new manufacturing zones for EVs and also set up charging stations in private as well public spaces such as airports, metro stations, railway stations, malls, highrise buildings, apartment complexes and information technology (IT) parks.
The policy is also aimed at encouraging startups in developing business models that are focused on supporting applications for electronic vehicles.
