Karnataka Budget 2018: E-vehicles, charging stations plans unveiled

In a move towards environment-friendly vehicle mobility, the Karnataka government has proposed the setting up of charging stations and introduction of electric buses in public transport.

The Karnataka government has given a big boost to environment-friendly vehicles with plans to set up charging stations and the use of electric buses in public transport.

Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy presenting the State Budget for 2018-19 on Thursday said, “It is proposed to establish 100 charging units at a cost of Rs 4 crore to encourage usage of electric vehicles in order to control increasing air pollution in Bengaluru city.”

The State's environment-friendly policy does not just stop at charging station as the Budget has proposed the introduction of electric buses under the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).

“Transport Corporations intend to purchase 4,236 new buses for public use. Out of this, with a view to use electric buses under the Karnataka Government Electric Vehicle Policy – 2017, 80 electric buses will be operated through Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation,” Kumaraswamy said in his Budget speech.

The Karnataka government has already come out with its Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage Policy 2017, which is aimed at the State becoming a major hub for the production of alternative fuel vehicles, reduce the dependency on fossil fuels. All these measures are expected to bring down the pollution vehicles.

The policy also aims to attract investments to the tune of Rs 31,000 crore and create employment opportunity for around 55,000 people.

As part of the policy, the State government is also looking at setting up electric vehicle manufacturing zones, set up charging stations in public and private spaces, which will include locations such as airports, railway stations and metro stations. Besides, the policy will also encourage startup to come out with business models that will look into the commercial viability of electric vehicles.

The Karnataka government has also promised incentives and concessions for the manufacturers of electric vehicles in line with its Industrial Policy of 2014-19.

The policies of the Karnataka government is also in line with the Centre's vision for an all-electric vehicle market in the country by 2031. These measures are expected to reduce the dependency on fossil fuels and bring down the carbon footprint.

Bengaluru is already home to two electric vehicle manufacturers – Ather Energy and Mahindra Electric Mobility. Ather Energy, a startup founded by Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain, is in the two-wheeler space and has unveiled two scooter models. Mahindra Electric Mobility, part of the Mahindra Group, produces a range of four-wheelers.