Battery-run vehicles to become cheaper

Battery-operated cars and bikes will soon be cheaper in the Capital, with the Delhi Govt deciding to give subsidy for the purchase of such vehicles, reports Amitabh Shukla.

Battery-operated cars and bikes will soon be cheaper in the Capital, with the Delhi government deciding to give subsidy for the purchase of such vehicles.

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A Cabinet note, prepared by the Environment Department, is ready and is likely to be passed in the next meeting of the Council of Ministers.

“The ambient air quality of Delhi has been a source of concern. As part of an appropriate strategy to combat air pollution in Delhi, it is imperative that zero pollution vehicles like battery operated ones, are given encouragement and support by the Delhi government,” the note said. The note said the subsidy would allow the citizens of Delhi to have access to clean-fuelled vehicle and allow them to contribute their bit in cleaning up the air quality of the city.

So far, the governments of Karnataka and Rajasthan have exempted battery-operated vehicles from road tax. Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Orissa, Pondicherry, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Chandigarh have provided VAT exemption to battery-operated vehicles.

According to the data compiled by the Environment Department, United Kingdom has provided 100 percent depreciation, free parking and exemption of congestion tax in London on these vehicles. Government of Japan, Norway, Sweden and Ireland have given subsidy of varying amounts. United States and Italy too have given subsidy on electric cars according to the data.

Sources in the government said the component of subsidy on each battery operate vehicle has not yet been decided as yet. “We want it to be around 15 percent so that the difference between these vehicles and the petrol-diesel ones is significant,” a senior official said.