Punjab climbs onboard EV wagon with new policy

Aims to establish the state as an EV manufacturing hub.

Punjab became the most recent state to announce an EV policy, following in the footsteps of Delhi, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. The proposed five-year policy goal seeks to register at least 25% of vehicles annually as EVs. The new policy also aims to establish Punjab as a preferred location for manufacturing electric vehicles, components, and batteries while promoting employment opportunities. Identified cities like Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Bhatinda, and Amritsar are called ‘target cities’ in the policy.

EV stakeholders have reacted positively to the proposed five-year policy that will help in promoting a viable EV ecosystem. For the electric light commercial vehicles, a purchase incentive of Rs 3,000 per kWh of battery capacity shall be provided to the first 5,000 registered owners. The applicable purchase incentive of Rs 5,000 per kWh of battery capacity (not exceeding Rs 50,000 per vehicle) shall be reserved for the first 2,500 garbage collection vehicles

The policy looks to bring about a reduction in vehicular emissions, and targets 100% transition to electric waste disposal vehicles from existing conventional vehicles. The state will also develop a proposal to access earmarked funds under the ‘Swachh Bharat Kosh'.