Petro based vehicles to go off roads by 2024 in Andhra Pradesh

Visakhapatnam: ANDHRA PRADESH has designated the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of AP (NREDCAP) as the nodal agency for policy formulation, implementation and promotion of electric vehicles and related mobility technologies in the State in a big way.

As per the E-Mobility Policy of AP, it has been decided to phase out all fossil fuel-based commercial fleets and logistics vehicles in top four cities including Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada by 2024 and all other cities by 2030.

The phasing out of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles is linked to the availability of EV 2-wheelers in the market. The e-vehicles will be available with maintenance warranty for three years. A senior official of the Energy Department told Bizz Buzz that they are committed to make AP a hub for e-vehicles and e-mobility.

The government has already announced its willingness to allot 500 to 1,000 acres to entrepreneurs willing to develop EV parks with plug and play facilities and the required ecosystem. The government will give 50 per cent assistance on fixed capital investment. Power tariff of Rs 6.70 per unit without any demand charge offered to companies making electric vehicles (EVs) and the required facilities.

Chief Secretary Aditya Nath Das vide GO Ms. No. 4 dated July 6, 2021 stated that NREDCAP has submitted proposals to the government to supply EV 2-wheelers with funding support from NTPC/EESL and other agencies to government employees.

The government, he said, has authorised NREDCAP to operate the EMI scheme for providing EVs to all government employees including cooperative societies, public sector undertakings and pensioners, with a special focus on village/ward secretariat staff and other low paid employees who opt for this scheme voluntarily.

All the heads of the departments and drawing and disbursing officers have been asked to encourage the adoption of EVs by their employees on a voluntary basis to achieve objectives of AP E-Mobility Policy.

NREDCAP has already developed a web portal and mobile app for processing, approval and monitoring of 2-wheeler distribution programmes.