By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 3: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and British High Commissioner to India, Alexander Ellis, on Sunday discussed environmental interventions, farmers’ welfare, sports and promotion of clean energy and electric vehicles in Meghalaya.
The British High Commissioner to India was accompanied by British Deputy High Commissioner Dr Andrew Fleming and few other officials. The meeting was held at the residence of the chief minister.
“Pleasant morning with Alexander Ellis, British High Commissioner to India and Dr Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner at my residence,” the Chief Minister posted on X.
The posted further read, “Had fruitful discussions on interventions related to environment, farmers’ welfare, sports and promotion of clean energy and electric vehicles in Meghalaya”.
Electric vehicles or EVs are considered to be the future in India with the central government making a vigorous push to promote use of EVs in place of gasoline vehicles so as to ensure the protection of the ecology.
In Meghalaya however, although a handful of EVs are seen on the road, the number is dwindling despite there being an EV Policy for the past 2 years.
As per the EV policy of Meghalaya government, the gradual shift to EVs is essential towards an energy-secure future and a clean environment.
The state government, during the policy period of 5 years, aims to facilitate adoption of 20,000 EVs which will save about 50 lakh litres of fuel resulting in reduction of about 10,000 kg of Co2 per day and 36.5 lakh kg of Co2 per year.
The government wants to facilitate adoption of at least 15% EVs in the state by 2025 and to support setting up of robust infrastructure including adequate power supply, network of charging points with favourable power tariff.
The government under the Meghalaya EV Policy intends to give a total incentive of Rs 25.42 crore till 2025.
It also wants to replace MTC buses with battery electric vehicles in a phased manner.