Bhubaneswar: Over 2.19 lakh electric vehicles (EVs) are registered and running in Odisha, Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena told the Assembly on Thursday.
He was responding to a query from MLA Padma Lochan Panda.
Jena further informed that various government departments and agencies have so far procured 680 electric vehicles. “Incentives amounting to Rs 340.95 crore have been disbursed under different categories to encourage wider adoption of EVs,” he said.
The Minister further informed the House that 12 electric vehicle charging stations are currently functional in Bhubaneswar. He also mentioned that additional benefits will be announced once the new Electric Vehicle Policy receives official approval.
According to the draft Odisha Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy-2025 released in September, the state government has set an ambitious target to replace all vehicles engaged in its offices, besides shuttle services in tourist sites and amusement parks, with EVs within six months. Schools and educational institutes will also be encouraged to make the shift to e-buses within a year of the notification of the policy.
The government-operated boats and ferries along with ambulances and PCR vans, will also be converted to electric within 12 months that seeks to reduce dependency on fossil fuels, cut vehicular emissions and boost electric mobility across the state.
The new policy proposes a flat Rs 2 lakh per vehicle on electric cars used for transport. The incentives for other transport vehicles have also been revised. There will be a Rs 5 lakh incentive for vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonne and less than 7.5 tonne and Rs 7 lakh, Rs 16 lakh, Rs 18 lakh and Rs 20 lakh for less than 12 tonne, 18.5 tonne, 35 tonne and 55 tonne vehicles, respectively, sources said.
