Delhi Govt Launches EV Forum; Discusses Roadmap for Bicycle Subsidies

Delhi govt has launched the state EV Forum, a collective platform that will assist in the successful implementation of the EV policy.

The state government of Delhi recently launched the Delhi EV Forum, a collective platform that the AAP government expects will be a medium for steered discussions with key stakeholders, and further assist in the successful implementation of the government’s electric vehicle (EV) policy. The first virtual meeting under the forum has been scheduled to be held on December 18, 2020. 

The stakeholders would comprise e-vehicle manufacturers, fleet operators, and charging point operators, the government said.

“The focus of Delhi’s EV forum would be to enable engagement of a wide range of stakeholders in the EV ecosystem for successful implementation of the EV policy. Delhi EV Forum will be the first such forum in India for continuous dialogue and engagement of stakeholders in the implementation of EV policy. The first meeting will be held virtually on December 18,” said Jasmine Shah, Vice-chairperson of the dialogue and development commission (DDC), the policy think-tank and advisory body of the Delhi Government.

The statement detailed that the focus of the deliberations in the first meeting would be on-ground challenges on the deployment of EVs and charging infrastructure and ascertaining potential solutions, providing clarity associated with apprehensions and questions regarding provisions of the policy, gaining commitments from private players to help accomplish the EV and charging infrastructure targets defined in the policy.

The forum is supposed to organise quarterly meetings and workshops too. “The forum may conduct additional meetings that focus on specific issues and subjects related to policy implementation. The discussions through the forum workshops will identify measures to establish Delhi as the EV capital of India,” said Shah.

The Delhi Government notified its landmark EV policy on 7th August, aimed at having an EV market share of 25 percent across all new vehicle sales in Delhi by 2024. The policy lays out a comprehensive strategy to enable a rapid transition to EVs in the national capital centered on five key pillars – targeted financial incentives, non-financial incentives, enabling charging infrastructure, raising public awareness and building a green economy.

Recently, the state government has also announced that it will be drafting a new roadmap for providing subsidies for e-bicycles in the national capital. 

Delhi EV Policy, as envisioned by Hon’ble CM @ArvindKejriwal ji, has ensured that subsidies are provided to all categories of EVs possible. Today met with AICMA & all major players of e-cycles in Delhi to discuss on drafting a roadmap for providing subsidies for e-bicycles. pic.twitter.com/bnc8xSmIjN

— Kailash Gahlot (@kgahlot) December 4, 2020

Kailash Gehlot, Transport and Environment Minister of Delhi informed that a meeting had been conducted with the All India Cycle Manufacturers’ Association (AICMA) and other major players of e-cycles to discuss drafting a roadmap for providing subsidies for e-bicycles.