Gurugram: Auto union raises concerns over switch to electric vehicles

Autorickshaw owners and drivers have also urged the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram to form a local committee so that they get a scrap value of ₹35/kg for their diesel vehicles and do not need to rely on Delhi’s government registered scrap owners’ services, which offers only ₹18/kg

The autorickshaw owners and drivers in the city who were told to switch to electric vehicles (EVs) are concerned about bank loans and battery thefts of these vehicles.

Those willing to purchase electric vehicles by March 31 would be provided with a discount of ₹20,000 in addition to other government subsidies. (HT photo)

They have also urged the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) to form a local committee so that they get a scrap value of ₹35/kg for their diesel vehicles and do not need to rely on Delhi’s government registered scrap owners’ services, which offers only ₹18/kg.

The Haryana Auto Drivers’ Union conducted a meeting with the MCG authorities to raise their concerns on Friday before they could take part in the state government’s project ‘Parivartan’ in which at least 600 diesel-run three-wheelers would be replaced by EVs in the first phase of the project.

Representatives of five EV manufacturing firms, Gurugram traffic police, district administration and transport department authorities were also present at the meeting presided by MCG additional commissioner Vaishali Sharma, which aimed at making the project a success and encourage more autorickshaw owners to switch to EVs.

Haryana Auto Drivers’ Union general secretary Yogesh Sharma claimed that loans from private banks are expensive and if they miss even one EMI, the fine amount is hefty.

“There’s also the threat of the EVs being taken by the bank authorities,” Sharma said, adding that there are no three-wheeler EVs at present in Gurugram city.

Sharma said that due to the lack of a proper scrappage policy, the Haryana government has taken measures to scrap petrol or diesel autorickshaws by dealers who are registered under the Delhi government.

“In Gurugram, if we scrap vehicles, we will get a rate of ₹35 per kilogram but the registered dealers in Delhi pay only ₹18 per kilogram. We urged the MCG authorities to form a two-member committee which can supervise the scrapping process in Gurugram, so that we get good rates,” Sharma added.

Sharma said that they also fear battery thefts, which is rampant in the city. “One EV normally runs on two batteries. Each one of them costs around ₹65,000-70,000. In case of theft, the owner or driver would be financially ruined,” he said.

MCG public relation officer Satbir Rohilla said that the autorickshaw union has been urged to get their batteries insured by paying an additional annual premium of ₹500.

Rohilla said that to make things easier, the MCG will operate a single-window system in which an autorickshaw owner will have to submit documents for purchasing an EV and the authorities will assist them in getting loans sanctioned from the banks.

“We have also set up two helpline numbers which will be operational from 9am to 5pm and will guide auto owners and drivers on how to scrap a vehicle and get an EV,” Rohilla said.

Rohilla said that the Haryana government has also interacted with the Delhi government’s registered scrap dealers and urged the latter to pay ₹20/kg rate to Gurugram autorickshaw owners who get their old vehicles scrapped instead of ₹18/kg. “We will take up this matter with the higher authorities and then decide on the demand to form a local committee in order to get a higher scrap value,” he added.

Rohilla said that a special camp is going to start at the MCG office in Sector 42 from March 10, in which banks and manufacturers will be present under one umbrella and guide three-wheeler owners to switch to EVs.

Rohilla said those willing to purchase EVs by March 31, would also be provided with a discount of ₹20,000 in addition to other government subsidies.