Gujarat government’s efforts to promote clean energy are paying off, as sales of electric vehicles (EV) have increased by over 950 percent in the last few years.
According to state government sources, the number of registered EVs had barely surpassed 950 by the end of 2019, and was expected to rise to 1,119 by 2020. By the end of 2021, the number of registered EVs had risen to 9,780, representing a 956 percent increase in EV registration in Gujarat.
According to a senior official with the state port and transportation department, registration of electric vehicles began to rise dramatically in June 2021 after the state government enacted its first electric vehicle policy, which included subsidies and capital incentives for buyers as well as those who want to invest in charging infrastructure.
Through a generous policy rolled out in line with the National Electric Mobility Plan (NEMP), the state aims at a minimum of 2 lakh EVs on Gujarat roads by the end of 2025, said the official. These EVs include a minimum of 1.25 lakh two-wheelers, 75,000 three-wheelers, and 20,000 four-wheelers.
There has been a 25% dip in the registration of petrol and diesel vehicles in the state as per state government data. According to the official, this is just the beginning of a new trend as there would be a further decline in the registration of petrol-diesel vehicles in Gujarat once there would be adequate charging infrastructure facilities including that battery swapping services in place.
Compared to the 16.16 lakh registration of petrol-diesel vehicles in Gujarat during 2019 – hardly 12 lakh plus petrol-diesel vehicles were registered in 2021. During 2020, 11.12 lakh such vehicles were registered in the state but the reduction was due to first and second Covid-19 waves and subsequent lockdowns, claimed the official.
“Gujarat government is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 6 lakh tons per year by bringing down pollution occurring due to use of conventional fossil fuel. A large number of buyers are resorting to EVs by availing subsidies up to Rs 20,000 for two-wheelers, Rs 50,000 for three-wheelers, and Rs 1.5 lakh for four-wheelers,” he said.
“Up to `10 capital infrastructure is being offered to set up charging stations in the state under the policy. Already 280 such charging stations have been set up across Gujarat after the announcement of EV policy and 250 more are in pipeline,” he added