Ladakh to introduce 600 EVs by 2027 under its new policy
In another significant step to realize the dream of PM Modi to make Ladakh carbon neutral, the administration of Union Territory led by Lieutenant Governor R K Mathur on Friday rolled out “Ladakh’s Electric Vehicle & Allied Infrastructure Policy 2022” and set a target to introduce more than 600 EVs by 2027.
The policy aimed to encourage the transporter and individuals to avail subsidy benefits on purchase of electrical vehicles to create a carbon-neutral future for the UT of Ladakh.
As per official’s sources, guidelines and details were framed to encourage people to shift towards EV mode of transport from the traditional fossil fuel driven vehicles.
The policy entails a capital subsidy of 10 percent on two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers while eco-friendly public transport, public buses will be given a capital subsidy of 25 percent under the policy.
Moreover, to encourage this shift to electric vehicles, the administration has offered an early bird subsidy for the first year of the policy.
“During the first year, the percentage on the subsidy for respective types of vehicles would be double of the normal subsidy being offered for subsequent years,” the spokesperson said.
The administration also decided to continue to exempt Electric Vehicles from road taxes as per S.O.08 dated March 26, 2021.
Furthermore, to enhance the ecosystem of charging facilities, the administration has offered subsidies to Commercial Public Electric Vehicle charging stations for two-wheelers, cars and buses.
Capital subsidy on equipment and machinery (capital subsidy of 25 percent on the equipment /machinery or Rs 5,00,000 (whichever is less) per station for the first 15 Electric Vehicle charging stations.
The policy underlines that the electric power required by commercial EV charging stations would be charged at domestic rates.
The spokesperson said that policy aimed to transform Ladakh into a torch bearer in terms of adoption of electric vehicles in the country and envisions encouraging and cultivating an EV ecosystem.
Through the policy Ladakh administration will encourage the citizens to procure and use e-vehicles in order to create a carbon-neutral future for the UT.
The policy will help reduce dependence on fossil fuel-powered vehicles, which was high due to the tourism and required transport services.
The RTO of UT Ladakh has been made responsible to monitor the implementation, point of contact for Electric Vehicle policy, creating awareness regarding the policy as well as the operations guidelines and administering policy.
