Capital’s power subsidies have been sustained and the Delhi government has extended the deadline of its electric vehicle (EV) policy by three months.
Sources informed that the Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, disapproved of the Transport Department’s draft Delhi EV Policy 2.0 and instead proposed a series of amendments.
“New EV Policy 2.0 negotiations are in progress,” Transport Minister Pankaj Singh said. “The new policy will continue to be in effect till we approve the new policy.” Singh claimed that the delay of the previous government in approving EV subsidies has lost the trust of the general public in EV-related incentives, but he guaranteed that the BJP government is “committed to correcting these flaws.” EV owners have not been given the Rs 48.36 crore worth of incentives yet by the government.
Singh added that the new EV policy did not intend to exclude two-wheelers or autorickshaws. He assured once more, “I assure everyone that all autorickshaws and bikes will continue to operate in Delhi.”
The authorities have mentioned that there are reports going around about the department’s EV Policy 2.0 draft that is also claimed to ban the registration of new CNG autorickshaws and suspending renewal of permits for these autorickshaws from August 15. Even if the permits are renewed, e-auto permits only would be permitted.
Delhi alone has over a million autorickshaws and two-wheelers. It is not feasible to encourage an immediate shift to EVs or eliminate them.
Panic has been caused by rumors of a ban on vehicles and two-wheelers. All of these points were discussed at the conference, and suggestions were put forth for making changes so that EVs would be promoted and it would be simpler to switch over from petrol or CNG to electric vehicles, as per an official.
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