Maharashtra Postpones EV Policy Due to Inadequate Charging Ecosystem

An underdeveloped ecosystem is certain to prove to be an impediment in faster adoption of electric vehicles. In the present case, a resolution has been issued by the Environment Department of the Maharashtra Government aimed at implementing state’s Electric Vehicle Policy from April 2023 instead of April this year.

The postponement of the EV Policy of the state by a year means that all government departments are under no compulsion to have new cars coming, whether purchased or leased in cities, to be EVs only, as mandated by the policy.

The reason for the delay is that many departments have opposed the EV Policy’s implementation timelines. They held that there is inadequate presence of charging stations in the most industrialised state of India. Electric vehicles’ performance in the interiors of the state is also questioned as there are no quality roads and related infra for EVs success.

The Maharashtra Government announced its Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy on July 15, 2021, to ensure that 10% of all new vehicles should be EV by 2025 and make the state a leader in terms of EV adoption. By the middle of this decade, the policy aims to realize 25% electrification of public transport in six targeted urban agglomerations of Maharashtra – Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Amravati and Nashik.

Besides, it aimed at making 25% of the urban vehicles operated by aggregators and operators to be EVs by 2025. Seven urban agglomerations of Maharashtra were to be provided with 2,500 EV charging stations – Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad, Solapur and Amravati.

Under the EV Policy, the Environment Department earlier mandated almost all public bodies working in Maharashtra for EV purchase. These included all Mantralaya departments, SPCB, MIDC, local bodies, MMRDA, Public Service Commission, High Court etc.

Speaking at “Alternative Fuel Conclave” early this month, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said that his government is planning to incentivize an ecosystem that helps the growth of electric vehicles and vehicles that run on alternate fuels. Energy Minister Nitin Raut informed that Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) will form joint ventures with Petrol companies to set up EV charging stations in the premises of petrol pumps which will be followed by installing charging facilities in schools and colleges of Maharashtra.