Electric vehicle policy draft ready in UP, full discount to be given on registration

The Uttar Pradesh government has prepared a draft of the Electric Vehicle Policy - 2022-2027. Under the policy, a 100 per cent discount on EV registration and road tax will be provided in the state.

The Uttar Pradesh government has prepared a draft of the Electric Vehicle Policy - 2022-2027, with the aim of bringing the state into electric vehicle mode by 2030. Investment of more than Rs 50,000 crore will be encouraged and over one million people will get direct and indirect employment.

The main objective of the EV policy is to make the state a global hub for the manufacturing of electric vehicles, batteries and associated equipment. Along with this, an eco-friendly environment must be created in the state.

A 15 per cent rebate will be given on the purchase of two or four-wheeler electric vehicles, e-buses and a 100 per cent discount on their registration and road tax in the state. The EV policy will cover electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, EV supply equipment, strong hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles, on board chargers, vehicle control units and battery management systems.

In the first three years of the implementation of the EV policy, a 100 per cent exemption will be given for the registration of electric vehicles and road tax. Thereafter, 50 per cent relaxation will be given in the fourth and fifth year. A discount of 15 per cent (maximum Rs 5,000) on the factory price of the vehicle will be given on purchase of a 2-wheeler electric vehicle for a period of one year from the date of issue of the EV policy.

Importantly, Rs 100 crore budget provision will be made to give exemption to two lakh two-wheeler EV vehicles. According to the policy, the public transport system in rural and urban areas will be converted into EV. Green roads will be marked for their operation. E-buses will be operated on these routes. Furthermore, by 2030, all government vehicles will be converted into EVs.

On the other hand, government employees will be encouraged to buy EVs, for which advance will also be given. Also, a Go Electric campaign will be launched to promote EVs. For this, a 12-member empowered committee will be constituted under the chairmanship of the Industrial Development and Infrastructure Commissioner for the implementation of the EV policy.

As per the EV policy, charging stations will be set up within a radius of 9km in cities whereas the stations will be built at an interval of 25 km on the expressway. Charging stations will also be set up at parking lots, metro stations, bus stands, petrol pumps, government buildings, commercial buildings, educational and health institutions, and shopping malls in cities.