Auto industry getting ready for EV journey - SIAM

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PTI reported that with over 28 market-ready electric vehicles across different segments being unveiled at the ongoing Auto Expo 2018, SIAM said that the auto industry is fast getting ready for the EV journey, while calling for the government to put in place a long-term policy to address various issues, including charging infrastructure.

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) also reiterated its demand for reducing GST rate on pure electric vehicles (EV) to 5 per cent from the current 12 per cent in order to make products affordable and popularise the technology.

SIAM Director General Mr Vishnu Mathur said that "This year at the Auto Expo we have seen launch of market-ready electric vehicles, not just concepts, across various categories. This shows that the auto industry is getting ready very fast with Evs."

Mr Mathur said that these EVs are from companies, including Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, Lohia and JBM, among others across various applications from passenger vehicles to busses and two-wheelers.

He said that out of the total EV launches, 11 were in cars segment, five in buses, two each in small commercial vehicles and three-wheelers and eight in two-wheelers segment.

He added that "Now what is required is the infrastructure, specially for charging these EVs. Otherwise, we won't get to where we want to with this technology."

As per government's vision, 100 per cent of public mobility and 40 per cent of personal mobility are envisaged to be EVs by 2030. SIAM, on the other hand in its vision document had aimed for 100 per cent of all forms of mobility to be EVs by 2047.

In this backdrop, Mr Mathur said though already there is scheme like FAME to promote EVs, what is required is a long- term policy on how to go about meeting the targets with well- defined milestones and how government can provide support in the process.

With the current cost of EVs very high, he said it could dissuade customers over and above the concerns related to battery charging.

He added that "These are issues that needs to be addressed. We feel that if a certain infrastructure is put in place and other support are provided, we can go to the next level."

Source : PTI