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Electric vehicle adoption in Assam moving at snail pace

Priyanka Chakrabarty


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Guwahati: The online platform where owners of electric vehicles (EV) may apply for subsidies is still not available in Assam.

The Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy of Assam, 2021, which would be in force for a five-year term until 2026, was announced by the state government of Assam on September 4, 2021. The strategy intends to attain a 25% penetration of EVs in the total number of new vehicle registrations during this time. The proposal also emphasises creating a charging infrastructure that would facilitate a quicker uptake of EVs throughout the state.

However, Assam's adoption of electric cars is progressing gradually.

Assam established the Electric Vehicle Policy for speedier adoption through its promotional initiatives and policies over a year ago.

The incentives for all sorts of electric cars will be determined by the battery capacity, which varies from Rs. 1.50 to a maximum of Rs. 15 lakhs.

Electric vehicle

The penetration of electric vehicles in Assam remained minimal at the conclusion of FAME-1.
The EV policy was implemented to assure a strong infrastructure for electric cars and to provide a justification for achieving a quick uptake of battery electric vehicles, with the goal of having them account for 25% of all new vehicle registrations by 2026.

In contrast, it appears that the real world is rather different.

"We have not yet made the internet gateway available for anyone to apply for subsidies. Subsidy applications can also be submitted offline, however this process takes time. So, our expectation is that the online application gateway for subsidies will be ready shortly, according to a senior source from the Transport Department who spoke to BNE.

Senior officials at the Department of Commerce and Industries Assam claim that slow adoption of electric cars in Assam is still hampered by a lack of sufficient charging stations and expensive vehicle prices.
The agency has only received a small number of 40 applications for the FAME Phase 2 policy's subsidy advantages.
  The use of electric vehicles (EVs) for road transportation advances several objectives.  Improved energy security, better air quality, less noise pollution, and, when combined with a low carbon power generating mix, lower greenhouse gas emissions are a few of these.

"We have sold 60 electric vehicles throughout Assam starting in January 2021, and while there have been inquiries, the sale of EVs is still quite low as compared to petrol and diesel vehicles," Manoj Das, Customer Adviser at Kamakhya Motors, told BNE.

Assam reportedly has seven total charging stations, depending on the figure.
It should be noted that all government vehicles must be converted to electric cars by 2030 under the Assam 2021 Electric Vehicle Policy.

The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) s-2 requirements must be followed by dealers in order to sell their cars, according to the Department of Commerce and Industry.
According to a senior officer from the transport department, Assam has 36,700 registered electric cars as of October 31, 2022.

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Priyanka Chakrabarty