Big push for electric vehicles to boost demand, cut air pollution
POLICY NOTIFIED Delhi will show the way when the world holds discussions on EVS five years later, says CM Kejriwal
nNEWDELHI: The Delhi government on Friday notified the Delhi Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, 2020 — with an aim to reduce air pollution and kick-start the economy by spurring demand — that offers subsidies and road tax and registration fee waivers for electric vehicles bought in the city.
The policy, launched by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday, also talks about increasing road tax for fuel-based vehicles, at least in the luxury segment, and imposing in certain parts of the city a congestion fee that EVS will be exempt from. The details of both the surcharges are still being worked out, transport minster Kailash Gahlot said.
Addressing a digital press briefing, Kejriwal said the policy has been notified after consultations with consumers and experts from around the world.
“It is believed worldwide that China has a really good electric vehicle system in place. But, now I am sure that when discussions on electric vehicles will be held across the world after five years, Delhi will be leading the way in this field. I’m happy to say that our policy is one of the most progressive of all the electric policies across the world,” he said. The government aims to register at least 500,000 EVS in Delhi in the next five years. Delhi has over 83,000 electric vehicles out of a total of over 11 million vehicles registered in the city. Of the more than 83,000 registered EVS, over 75,500 are e-rickshaws.
There are about 900 private electric cars and over 3,700 e-twowheelers in Delhi as of now.
The Capital experiences a public health emergency every winter due to the rise in air pollution, which has become a recurrent annual crisis. “In the last five years, the people of Delhi have collectively worked together to reduce pollution levels, but we have to reduce it further,” Kejriwal said on Friday. “During the pandemic (lockdown), we saw that PM10 and PM2.5 levels witnessed a drastic reduction. We could see the clear skies and feel the clean breeze. This policy will give the Capital a much needed push towards a cleaner and greener Delhi.”
There are largely two problems militating against the rise of private EVS in Delhi — the high cost of purchase, and the lack of sufficient charging infrastructure — and the policy aims to address both.
Those buying electric vehicles will be exempt from paying road tax and registry fee. At present, road tax ranges from 4% to 10% of the vehicle cost, while registration fee could cost up to ₹3,000.
In addition, a subsidy of ₹5,000 per kwh of the battery capacity up to ₹30,000 will be given on the purchase of each electric twowheeler. For the first 1,000 e-cars or electric four wheelers, a subsidy of ₹10,000 per kwh will be given, capped at ₹150,000 per vehicle. For auto-rickshaws, rickshaws and freight vehicles the subsidy grant will be flat ₹30,000 per vehicle. The policy also has a “scrapping incentive” for those who make the switch to EVS.
“Many people own polluting petrol and diesel vehicles. Since EVS are still relatively costlier in the market, under this policy, now an old fuel-based vehicle can be exchanged while purchasing a new e-vehicle so that it reduces the cost of the EV further. This scrapping incentive is being given for the first time in the country,” Kejriwal said.
Talking about adequate charging infrastructure, he said the government aims to set up at least 200 new EV charging stations across Delhi in 12 months. At present there are less than 25 operational authorised EV charging stations in Delhi.
Kejriwal said the policy — it will be valid for a period of three years, after which it will be revised — will also help in creating jobs “at a huge level” in the fields of driving, servicing, financing, charging and so on.
Gahlot said the policy lays more emphasis on two-wheelers, public transport, shared vehicles and goods-carriers, than private four wheelers.
“To purchase an electric commercial vehicle, the government will also offer loans to the people on low-interest rates. All Delhi government vehicles will be EVS in the next 12 months. All twowheelers engaged in last-mile deliveries such as food delivery, e-commerce, logistics etc. will be expected to shift 50% of their fleet to electric by March 31, 2023, and 100% of their fleet by March 31, 2025,” Gahlot said.
The government will set up a State EV fund, which will encompass all the expenditure of the EV Policy. A State Electric Vehicle Board will be constituted for effective implementation of the EV policy and managing the EV fund, and the chairman of the board will be the transport minister. Besides, a dedicated EV cell will also be constituted.
Experts welcomed the move. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), Centre for Science and Environment said it is commendable that despite the economic slowdown the policy has set a target to achieve 25% electrification of new fleet by 2024. “The zero emissions mandate is needed to cut air pollution, toxic exposure. Firm milestones are needed for time bound implementation. The move is an important message for green recovery post pandemic,” she said.
Naveen Munjal, managing director, Hero Electric Vehicles, said the policy is “a great move towards a pollution-free nation”.
Mahesh Babu, CEO, Mahindra Electric thanked the Delhi government for announcing “a long term futuristic” EV policy..
Over their lifetime, these EVS are estimated to avoid:
Approximately ~6,000 crores in oil and liquid natural gas imports
4.8 million tonnes of CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions
159 tonnes of PM 2.5
nnnnnRide-hailing service providers will be allowed to operate electric two-wheeler taxis, subject to operating within the guidelines issued
All two-wheelers engaged in last-mile deliveries will be expected to shift 50% of their fleet to electric by March 31, 2023, and 100% by March 31, 2025
nnPurchase Incentive of ~30,000 per vehicle e-autos, e-rickshaws & e-carts (NIL at present)
Interest subvention of 5% on loans and/or hire
nElectric buses shall constitute at least 50% of all new buses to be added to the city bus fleet
This will start with the induction of 1,000 pure electric buses by 2020.
nnnnnnnnPurchase incentive of ~5k per kwh of battery capacity, maximum incentive of ~30k per vehicle. Scrapping incentive of up to ~5,000 to be offered
purchase scheme for the purchase of an e-auto
So, a loan of typically 12% interest from DFC will now be made available at 7% the lowest anywhere in India for EVS
For e-autos, an open permit system will apply
Providing accessible public charging/battery swapping facilities within 3km travel
Delhi govt shall provide capital subsidy for the cost of chargers installation.
100% net SGST will be provided as reimbursement to EOS to buy advanced batteries
nNEW DELHI: The 33-year-old man who was arrested on Thursday for the alleged sexual assault and attempted murder of a 12-yearold girl in Paschim Vihar area had murdered a woman with the help of an accomplice for resisting a robbery bid at her home in Sultanpuri area in 2006, police said Friday.
The girl continues remains critical at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) and has been put on ventilator support . “Due to complications resulting from a head injury, she was shifted to the neurosurgery department. She continues to be critical and is on ventilator support,” said a doctor from the hospital, on condition of anonymity. She had undergone a surgery on the first day of admission.
On Thursday, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had visited the girl at AIIMS and announced ₹10 lakh for her family. On Friday, he tweeted, “I spoke to the doctors and parents of the 12-year-old girl, who was sexually assaulted, on phone. I had visited her in the hospital yesterday. She is still fighting for her life. Doctors are trying their best. Pls pray for her. In the meanwhile, police has arrested one person.”
Officers investigating the case said that in 2006, a woman in her twenties was sleeping alone on the terrace of her house when Krishan alias Kakka and his associate (name not known) climbed to the terrace and tried to remove the gold earrings that she was wearing. “When she woke up and raised the alarm, the duo panicked and attacked her with bricks lying nearby. Hearing the woman’s screams, her family members reached the terrace and caught Krishan while his associate managed to flee,” said joint commissioner of police (western range) Shalini Singh .
“Krishan was arrested, convicted and sentenced to life in prison. He told us that he was released from jail in 2015 on account of “good behaviour and conduct”. We are verifying his claims,” Singh said, adding that there was no mentioning of sexual assault on the woman in that case. Police said apart from verifying the facts in the 2006 case, they are also gathering information about the other suspect in that crime.
A resident of outer Delhi’s Mangolpuri, Krishan is unmarried and lives with his mother. Apart from the 2006 murder case, Krishan is also involved in three other crimes (excluding the present case).
Krishan, the officer said, committed two crimes in 2016, after being released from jail. In one, he had allegedly attacked and injured his brother during a family dispute.
“Krishan was arrested in that case. He told us that his brother did not pursue the case further and turned hostile in the court, as they had resolved their dispute. We are verifying his claims,” the officer said. The second pertains to a burglary in outer Delhi, the details of which the police are gathering..
During the interrogation in the present case, Krishan told the police that he was wandering in the girl’s neighbourhood with intent to commit a burglary. He entered the single room on the second floor, where the girl lives with her parents and sister, after seeing the rooms on the ground and first floors locked.
“Krishan found the girl’s door ajar, went inside and was trying to lift a suitcase when she raised the alarm. He panicked and hit her on the head with a sewing machine in the room, causing her grievous head injuries. But even then, the girl did not give up the fight. She pushed him to the floor, sat on his chest and scuffled with him. This enraged Krishan. He picked up a pair of scissors lying nearby and stabbed her multiple times all over before fleeing the building,” the officer said.
Joint CP Singh said Krishan’s version of events needs to be verified and for that the injured girl’s statement is crucial. “We will go with the girl’s version only. She is still critical and unfit to give a statement,” she said.
Meanwhile, a Delhi court on Friday directed the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (West) to give interim compensation of ₹2 lakh to the minor.
Purchase incentive of ~10,000 per kwh of battery capacity for first 1000 cars subject to a cap of ~1,50,000 per vehicle