UPSC Articles
Assam to phase out fossil fuel-based vehicles by 2030
Part of: GS Prelims and GS- III – Environment; Economy
Context The Assam government has unveiled an electric vehicle (EV) policy for phasing out vehicles running on fossil fuels by 2030.
Key features of the scheme
- The mission entails converting all government vehicles and fleet of public buses to electric and deploying 2 lakh EVs within the next five years.
- The policy also offers a set of incentives for people to switch to EVs.
- These include 100% exemption on registration charges and road tax.
- Entrepreneurs setting up EV charging stations have been assured of 90% exemption of electricity duty.
About Electric Vehicles (EVs)
- An electric vehicle uses one or more electric motors or traction motors for propulsion.
- An electric vehicle may be powered through a self-contained battery, solar panels or an electric generator to convert fuel to electricity.
Why is there a need for EVs in India?
- Climate change: EV are less polluting in nature.
- Rapid urbanization: India is home to 14 out of 20 most polluted cities in the world. EVs will help in tackling this problem by reducing local concentrations of pollutants in cities.
- Energy security: EVs can reduce dependence on imported crude oil promoting India’s energy security.
- Employment: Promotion of EVs will facilitate employment growth in a sun-rise sector.
What are the Government Initiatives?
- Government has set a target of electric vehicles making up 30 % of new sales of cars and two-wheelers by 2030 from less than 1% today.
- To build a sustainable EV ecosystem initiatives like – National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) and Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric vehicles in India (FAME India) have been launched by India.
News Source: TH
