By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 10: The state government in 2021 came out with an elaborate Electric Vehicle Policy for promoting the use of electric vehicles in Meghalaya. However, it is a matter of disappointment that the state only has 160 registered electric vehicles so far, as per Vahaan Sewa dashboard by the Ministry of Road Transports and Highways.
Before the new EV policy was implemented, the state had six electric vehicles registered as on October 31, 2022. Putting in perspective, out of the 5,24,365 vehicles registered in Meghalaya, electric vehicles make up a minuscule 0.003% of the total.
The initial goal of the policy was to introduce 20,000 EVs within five years that is to provide requisite impetus towards adoption of at least 15% EVs in five years in Meghalaya, by providing incentives to a limited number of early electric vehicles adopters.
Unfortunately, the current trend suggests that this target is a distant dream.
Meghalaya’s EV policy included strong incentives such as exemptions from road tax and registration fees.
Additionally, a non-lapsable fund was established under a nodal agency to disburse funds.
Under this policy, the government offered a purchase subsidy of Rs 4,000 per kWh for the first 200 electric three-wheelers and the first 2,500 four-wheeler EVs registered in the state. Furthermore, a subsidy of Rs 4,000 per kWh was provided for the first 30 strong hybrid four-wheeler EVs and the first 30 EV buses.