Ev prices to compete petrol cars in 6 months, Says Nitin Gadkari

Electric vehicles (EV) have increased popularity over the years. However, their sales are not increasing rapidly due to EV being expensive and charging infrastructure decrease. Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari says that in six months the price of electric vehicles will be equal to petrol powered cars.

Addressing the Convergence India and Smart Cities India Expo, Gadkari said that the central government’s policy import is to prepare an alternative, reduction in cost and control over pollution and increase manufacturing in the country. Infrastructure sector needs to be improved to make the country the third largest economy. Gadkari said, “We can reduce the cost of logistics by improving the roads.” He said that the economy of the country is very good and the government is committed to smart cities and smart transport.

Gadkari said that work is being done on the mass rapid transport used for electricity. He stated the need to promote new technology and innovation to reduce the cost of road construction. A new EV policy can be announced soon to increase the manufacturing of EV. In this policy, the limit of funds spent on infrastructure related to charging can be fixed for tax exemption on imported EV. American EV maker Tesla plans to start business in India. An EV policy was issued last year. In this, tax on imported electric vehicles was reduced from about 100 percent to 15 percent to attract EV companies like Tesla. However, with this the condition was that EV makers, who took advantage of low tax, would have to invest a minimum of $ 500 million to set up a factory.

Tata Motors, who have a large stake in the EV market, have planned to double the number of charging stations for EV in the country in two years. Recently, the company had said that by 2027 these charging stations will be increased to about four lakhs. For this, Tata Motors plans to tie-up with Oil Marketing Companies like Chargedwint Operators and Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation.