Meghalaya to Adopt 15% EVs by 2025, Under EV Policy 2021

The Transport Department of Meghalaya has released the ‘Meghalaya Electric Vehicle Policy 2021’ to facilitate the adoption of at least 15 percent EVs in the State by 2025. 

The government has decided to Go Green as it is aiming to add around 20,000 EVs in the State during the policy period. This will save about 50 lakh liters of fuel, resulting in a reduction of about 10,000 Kg of CO2 per day, which will reduce more than 36.5 lakh Kg of CO2 per year, the policy says. 

This EV policy will provide the required thrust for increased and faster adoption of EVs for a clean and green environment, and it will come into effect from April 1, 2021, and remain in operation and valid for the next five years. 

The release has provided a number that says, as of 31st October 2020, Meghalaya presently having only 6 EVs, resulted in saving 1568 liters of fuel, and a reduction of 3901 Kg CO2. 

Meghalaya stands very far in the line of EV adoption because, as of October 2020, Meghalaya accounts for only 0.002% of the electric vehicles sold in India, and the total EVs in the State account for only 0.001% of the total vehicles registered in the State. 

However, “to accelerate early adoption of EVs in the State of Meghalaya by providing adequate impetus and support for the adoption of Battery EVs and setting up of related charging infrastructures,” the policy noted. 

Interestingly, the Meghalaya EV policy 2021 has come with the following main objectives; 

• To support the adoption of EVs by providing purchase incentives for early adoption of EVs based on the energy capacity in kWh of battery.
• To set up the robust infrastructure for EVs including adequate power supply, a network of charging points with favorable power tariff, and adequate service centers. 
• To mandate adoption of EVs in the Government and its Boards, Corporations, Government undertakings, Development Authorities, Municipalities in a phased manner. Also, replacing the Meghalaya Transport Corporation buses with battery electric vehicles in a phased manner.
• To facilitate recycling and reuse batteries and disposal of rejected batteries to avoid environmental pollution.

The EV Policy perceived the incentives on EV purchase for buyers. The government shall offer a purchase subsidy of Rs 10,000 per KWH for the first 3500 electric two-wheelers, Rs 4,000 per KWH for the first 200 electric three-wheelers, 2500 four-wheeler EVs and 30 electric buses purchased and registered in the State during the Policy period. 

Additionally, to boost the EV charging ecosystem, the Meghalayan government will facilitate setting up charging stations at several key locations such as various State Government facilities, and commercial buildings such as hotels, shopping malls, cinema halls, and apartments.