Green Number Plates Are Now Mandatory For All Electric Vehicles And It Is All For Good

Indian government had earlier proposed a special green-coloured number plate for all electric vehicles in the country. Putting the year old plan in action, the Central government has now asked the state transport departments to make it mandatory for all EVs to use the green number plates, irrespective of the year in which they were bought.

The special number plate is supposed to have the vehicle number spelled out in white colour on a green background. The new mandate is supposed to help provide a preferential treatment to the vehicles with no carbon emissions, like parking, free entry in congested areas as well as a concessional toll on highways.

With the introduction of the second phase of FAME - Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles scheme back in February this year, the centre had announced multiple incentives for EV users and makers alike through a total allocated budget of Rs 10,000 crore. These will be used in the form of subsidies to the buyers as well as to those manufacturing electric vehicles in the country, with at least 50% indigenous production.

(Representative Image: Comyan)

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The allotted budget under the FAME-II will also be used to set up an EV infrastructure across the country, including charging stations. With the second phase of the FAME scheme, the government aims to support 1 million e-two-wheelers, 500,000 e-three-wheelers, 55,000 e-four-wheelers and 7,000 e-buses. Subsequently, around 7200 charging stations will be put up across major cities of India.

Other policies underway for an increased EV adoption in India include a permit for those between 16-18 years of age to ride e-scooters. Even commercial EV fleet operators will be directed to up the EV ratio in their fleets by at least 1 percent each year.

The measures are aimed to attract buyers towards electric vehicles over the coming years, as simultaneously, the state departments set up the required infrastructure for the operation of these EVs with ease. Even Indian banks have started giving out loans for EVs at a reduced rate of interest than the regular auto loans. As for the state transports, electric buses and other vehicles are being inducted to reduce the emission levels from the state transports.