Bhubaneswar: In a major move to promote environment-friendly transportation, the Odisha government has decided not to levy permit vees for battery-operated electric vehicles as well as methanol- and ethanol-powered transport vehicles.
According to a notification issued by the Commerce and Transport Department, eligible vehicles operating in the state will be issued the required permits by the authorities without payment of any fee.
However, goods transport vehicles having a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of less than 3,000 kg will not be covered under the fee exemption.
Officials clarified that the exemption from fees does not dispense with the mandatory requirement of obtaining a permit under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Vehicle owners will still have to secure the necessary permits from the competent transport authorities.
All other statutory requirements will continue to remain applicable, including valid vehicle registration, insurance, fitness certification, pollution under control (PUC) certification and payment of applicable government taxes and other charges.
Officials said the step is expected to encourage wider adoption of cleaner-fuel and electric vehicles in Odisha and contribute to reducing vehicular pollution in the state.
