Govt Initiates Measures to Make Telangana Role Model in EV Adoption: Ponnam

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly during Question Hour, he said that the state government is considering a proposal to purchase electric vehicles for up to 25-50 per cent of the total vehicles procured by it.

“The government is committed to controlling pollution and promoting electric vehicles as a progressive measure. We are also trying to raise people’s awareness to make Telangana a role model in electric vehicle policy in the country,” he said.

To encourage EV adoption, the state government had announced 100 per cent exemption from road tax and registration fees on purchase of electric vehicles. He said other states are following this model. He said around one lakh electric vehicles were sold in the state last year.

The government is implementing the EV policy despite a revenue loss of Rs 900 billion. He said companies have been urged to provide 20 percent subsidy to government employees on electric vehicle purchases.

He said the government is also considering measures to encourage schools, IT, pharmaceuticals and companies in other sectors to adopt EV. While 575 electric buses are operated in the state under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, 2,800 electric buses are planned to be introduced soon.

The government has introduced a vehicle scrapping policy under which vehicle owners will be encouraged.

Prabhakar said the government has expanded charging infrastructure, including gated communities, through REDCO, tourist attractions, restaurants and district collectors. He suggested that MLAs can set an example of EV adoption by using electric vehicles in their constituencies.