Aiming to make the state an EV-manufacturing hub, create employment, and reduce environmental degradation, the Chhattisgarh government approved its Electrical Vehicle (EV) policy 2022 this Thursday. The policy was approved by Chief Minister Bhupesh Bhagel at a cabinet meeting. As per the policy, a target of five years has been set in having EVs accounting for 15% of the new registrations of vehicles, individuals or commercial.
Under the policy, EV manufacturers will be given exemptions on manufacturing EVs, components of EVs, EV batteries and charging infrastructure. Additionally, establishing charging infrastructure will be mandatory in the housing policy of the state (making charging points mandatory in residential and commercial complexes). Charging stations will come up in government buildings and private ones. It also includes calling upon current auto manufacturers to diversify.
Companies manufacturing EVs, components of EVs and EV batteries, and charging infrastructure will get capital subsidies. The state government will also allocate 500-1000 acres for developing EV parks, which will help startups.
The state government has announced reimbursing 100% of state goods and services tax (SGST) and registration fees on sales of electric buses and electric goods carriages in the state during the five-year policy period. It will reimburse SGST also for manufacturing EVs in the state during the period.
The state government will also provide 100 per cent SGST reimbursement to energy operators for purchasing batteries to be used in switching/swapping stations.
The government will have industrial plans for supporting the state’s EV vision. It will also introduce an online portal for information regarding EVs and charging infrastructure, applying for EV-related incentives, etc.
There will be platforms and programmes for industry participation and exploring possibilities of entering into MoUs with lithium cell/EV auto components to start manufacturing in the state.
The policy will provide a capital subsidy of 25 per cent to select energy operators for charging equipment/machinery in the case of the first 300 fast-charging stations in the state. This will be up to Rs 10 lakh per station.
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