A comparative study of policies also found differences in subsidy norms in both the states Gujarat & Maharashtra
Public transport in Gujarat, two wheelers more important but no support in private charging stations
Greater inclination towards cities in Maharashtra, more charging stations will be allowed in urban areas
Gandhinagar, Sunday
While various states of the country are announcing electric vehicle (EV) policies, Gujarat has emphasized different norms of subsidy in public transportation, charging stations and vehicles used for commuting of the general public in the recently announced EV policy.
EV policy of Gujarat and Maharashtra
After Gujarat, the state of Maharashtra has created an EV policy but it has focused on converting government vehicles to EVs, tax benefits at private charging stations and cities. If we make a comparative study of these two policies, the Gujarat government has made an arrangement so that common motorists can easily buy more electric vehicles with subsidy.
Maharashtra's policy envisages electrification of government vehicles along with public transportation vehicles, while in Gujarat more emphasis is placed on public transportation, as Gujarat's intention may be to reduce the amount of pollution along with environmental cleanliness.
On the other hand, the Gujarat government has fixed subsidy norms for EV charging stations but has not announced any relief for charging stations at private locations. The government has also not given any clarification for converting the existing government vehicles into EVs. However, the first step in the policy of both states is to transform public transport.
For electric vehicle charging, the Maharashtra government intends to provide 2500 charging stations in seven cities within five years, while Gujarat intends to set up stations on national, state highways and important roads in addition to cities. An important point in Maharashtra's policy is that from April 2022, the state's new government vehicles will convert to electric.
According to the provisions of this policy, 20 percent EV parking will be allocated in new residential buildings, 25 percent in commercial buildings and 100 percent in government offices. The government has also decided to provide relaxation in property tax for private buildings, whereas there is no such provision in Gujarat's policy.
The Gujarat government has fixed the subsidy norms for two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers according to the capacity of the vehicle, while the Maharashtra government has decided to provide one and a half times the subsidy to motorists for the purchase of electric vehicles by 31st December 2021. However, subsidy will be given thereafter but it will be in a fixed amount. There is no such provision in Gujarat.
Salient features of Maharashtra Electric Vehicles EV policy
* EVs will account for 90 percent of vehicle registrations by 2025.
* 25 percent of public vehicles in six cities will be electric.
* 2500 charging stations will be built in seven cities in five years.
* Charging station parking will be mandatory in new housing projects.
* Property tax relief for charging stations in private premises.
* 100 percent EV parking stations in government offices.
* 10000 subsidy for purchase of two wheeler
* 30000 subsidy for buying rickshaw
* 1 lakh subsidy for purchase of four wheeler
* According to the policy, 930 crores will be spent.
Salient Features of Gujarat Electric Vehicles Policy
* 20000 subsidy for two wheeler
* 50000 subsidy for Rickshaw
* Subsidy of 1.50 lakhs for four wheelers (This subsidy will be given according to the capacity of the vehicle i.e. kilowatts.)
* 25 percent capital subsidy up to a limit of 10 lakhs for setting up charging stations
* 500 charging stations will be built.
* Target of two lakh EV vehicles in four years
* Gujarat government will spend 870 crores.
* 100 percent exemption from motor registration fee
* Target of 1.10 lakh two wheelers, 70 thousand rickshaws and 20 thousand four wheelers in four years