Andhra Pradesh to supply e-2Ws to govt. employees on an EMI basis

In an attempt to make Andhra Pradesh an e-vehicle hub, the state government has formulated a scheme with funding support from central government agencies to supply electric two-wheelers to the government employees on an EMI basis.

These e-vehicles would come with a full charge range of 40 to 100 kilometres with three years' annual maintenance. The amount can be repaid within 24 to 60 months with zero investment from the state government.

State energy secretary Srikant Nagulapalli believed that the New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of AP Ltd (NREDCAP) shall be made authorized to operate the EMI scheme for providing electric vehicles to all government employees comprising cooperative societies, public sector undertakings, and pensioners.

"A special focus would be laid on village/ward secretariat staff and other low paid employees, who opt for this scheme voluntarily. A government order shall be issued soon in this regard."

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh government is set to come out with an action plan for the complete implementation of e-mobility to make the state a hub for e-vehicles. The state already released its EV policy, incentivizing the stakeholders on both the supply and demand side.

The government is earmarking 500 to 1,000 acres of land for developing EV Parks with plug-and-play internal infrastructure, common facilities, and essential external infrastructure. About 50 percent financial assistance would be provided on fixed capital investment to developers of auto clusters and automotive suppliers manufacturing centres (ASMC) specific to EVs. Financial incentives would also be given to private charging stations, and hydrogen generation & refueling infrastructure.

The State energy secretary added that the state government has already generated a separate sub-category for electric vehicles and the electricity tariff is fixed at Rs 6.70 per unit without any demand charges to encourage the use of EVs.

"EESL has already established 80 charging stations in Andhra Pradesh and supplied 300 e-cars to various government departments. Now the state government has decided to set up 400 more charging stations in 73 locations across the state to promote the use of electric vehicles," the energy secretary said.

Vice-chairman and MD, NREDCAP, S Ramana Reddy said that EVs fare better than internal combustion engine vehicles in terms of enhanced energy security, reduced reliance on crude oil, better air quality, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.