Embattling courtroom battle over the suspension of subsidy offered to Tata Motors' electric vehicle, the Delhi government has yet again announced to not just maintain higher levels of subsidy but adding further incentives for corporates on e-vehicle use.
Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot while assuring top industry leaders of bringing better infrastructure for electric vehicles promised to provide more charging stations with better incentives to promote e-vehicle use. Gahlot also shared the government's plan to involve corporates to promote the adoption of EVs
Earlier the Delhi high court stayed a state government order suspending the subsidy offered on Tata Motors' Nexon electric vehicle following complaints of sub-standard range performance. Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva said the officer who had passed the subsidy suspension order could not place any evidence on record to show that the speed of 140 km per charge was not being met by the vehicle.
Gahlot while speaking during the Switch Delhi campaign said that this campaign would focus on creating and raising awareness about the user-friendly adoption of EVs in the city by actively involving corporates.
“We urge corporates to raise awareness and promote EVs in Delhi,” he said, adding that Delhi is an economic hub and corporates can put their resources to the best use by supporting the campaign.
According to Gahlot, the Delhi government has recently announced incentives to companies for the installation of EV charging stations. “The corporate houses could install or adopt an EV charging station through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Companies can also take the ‘Switch Delhi Pledge' on https://ev.delhi.gov.in/Pledge to show their commitment and help the Delhi government in fulfilling the mission of making Delhi the electric vehicle capital of India,” Gahlot said.
The minister also appealed to corporate houses to take the lead in the initiative by switching to EV cabs to facilitate the commute of their employees. He also urged corporates to install charging stations at their office premises to encourage individuals to switch to electric vehicles.
“Globally, it has been seen that people generally charge their electric vehicles at home or in the workplace. Many corporate employees are willing to switch to EVs if there is sound charging infrastructure at the workplace. I urge the corporates to reserve 5% of their parking space for installing and running EV charging stations,” Gahlot said.
