The Maharashtra government aims to ensure 10% of all new registered vehicles in its major cities would be electric by 2025, as per the draft of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, 2021.
According to the presentation by Transport Commissioner Avinash Dhakne, the policy draft targets all urban agglomerations — Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Aurangabad, Pune, Nagpur. Nashik also aims to achieve 25% electrification of intra-city public transport and last mile delivery vehicles by 2025. The draft policy also has an ambitious plan to convert 15% of the existing fleet of 18,000 State RTC buses to electric over the next five years.
Mr. Dhakne was speaking on Thursday at the online town hall organised by Climate Voices — a collective of three organisations Purpose, Asar and Climate Trends along with the Maharashtra Environment and Climate Change Department’s Majhi Vasundhara initiative. It was hosted by the non-profit Waatavaran Foundation & WRI India Ross Centre for Sustainable Cities.
“The State intends to make four highways and expressways fully EV ready by 2025 including the under construction Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway, Mumbai-Pune Express Highway, Mumbai-Nashik and Nashik-Pune,” said Mr. Dhakne. The government has also proposed that starting April 2022, all new government vehicles will be electric across major cities listed under the draft policy.
The share of the EVs in new vehicle registrations in 2025 is expected to be 10%, 20% and 5% for two, three and four wheelers. As per the target, at least one gigafactory for the manufacturing of advanced batteries will be set up.
Additionally by 2025, city-wise targets of charging stations are proposed as 1,500 for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, 500 for Pune, 150 for Nagpur, 100 for Nashik and 75 for Aurangabad.
Ashish Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Transport), said the policy is awaiting the final nod from the Cabinet. Mr. Singh, who heads the committee drafting the policy, said, “We are keen to take advantage of the schemes of the government of India, and just like being the leading manufacturers of internal combustion engines, we will soon become a leading manufacturer of EVs too.” He said the Transport Department has already consulted the stakeholders but still open for suggestions from the public.
