Indian Govt. Sanctions 5,645 Electric Buses For Operations In 65 Indian Cities
Indian government is going headstrong in its aim to increase electric vehicle use in the country. Following a considerable cut in GST applicable on electric vehicles the centre has now sanctioned more than 5000 electric buses to be used across 65 cities of India soon. The move is the latest in the line to promote clean mobility modes in India.
Indian government is going headstrong in its aim to increase electric vehicle use in the country. Following a considerable cut in GST applicable on electric vehicles, the centre has now sanctioned more than 5000 electric buses to be used across 65 cities of India soon.
The confirmation came from Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Monday. According to a tweet by Kant, the sanction for 5,645 e-buses was given by an inter-ministerial panel for EVs. ¡°The inter-ministerial committee for EVs today sanctioned 5,645 electric buses for intracity operations in 65 cities and for intercity operations to 8 state transport undertakings. This will give huge impetus to automobile sector, clean up our cities & drive Make in India,¡± mentioned Kant¡¯s tweet.
The inter-ministerial committee for EV Vehicles today sanctioned 5645 electric buses for intracity operations in 65 cities and for intercity operations to 8 state transport undertakings. This will give huge impetus to automobile sector, clean up our cities & drive Make in India.
¡ª Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) July 29, 2019
The move is the latest in the line to promote clean mobility modes in India. Last week, GST council led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the reduction of GST applicable on EVs from 12% to 5%, effectively bringing down the cost of electric vehicles for the buyers.
During the union budget 2019, the Finance Minister had also mentioned a tax rebate of up to Rs 1.5 lakh on the interest on loans taken for electric vehicles. The idea is to make electric vehicles more affordable for the public, as they are generally way costlier than their IC engine counterparts. The tax rebates, reduced GST as well as other subsidies and incentives will propel more buyers to opt for electric vehicles instead of the conventional fossil fuel ones.
Also read: After Bengaluru, Odisha Plans To Have Electric Buses To Cut Down Emissions From State Vehicles
To boost the indigenous production of electric vehicles, the government is also planning to set up four new gigafactories for battery manufacturing within the country. This would lead to reduction in import of lithium-ion batteries from countries like China and will hence enable a further price reduction in the electric vehicles being sold in the country.
