Chandigarh: 3.3K EV buyers save Rs 19.31 cr
Dushyant Singh Pundir
Chandigarh, July 19
Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science & Technology Promotion Society (CREST), the nodal agency for implementation of Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy in the city, has released more than Rs 19.31 crore in incentives to 3,338 EV buyers till June 20 this year. These incentives are aimed at encouraging residents to go for eco-friendly vehicles.
Officials of CREST said of total 3,338 electric vehicles, 2,012 were two-wheelers (e-2W), 1,160 four-wheelers (e-4W), 153 three-wheeler (e-3W) and 13 four-wheelers (goods carrier).
The UT Administration had approved the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for release of financial incentives under the EV Policy-2022, which was notified on September 20.
Under the scheme, a direct incentive is provided only to those users who purchase new electric vehicles from the UT and get it registered with the Registering and Licensing Authority (RLA), Chandigarh.
According to the policy, the direct incentive will be given to buyers for a policy period of five years or till the time the administration decides otherwise. New buyers who purchase a new electric vehicle between September 20, 2022, and September 19, 2027, will be eligible for direct incentive subject to the number of electric vehicles to be incentivised as per the policy. However, the direct incentive is not applicable to the government sector.
The officials said the incentives were being released to the beneficiary on acceptance of all documents, subject to the availability of funds. A user will forfeit its entitlement for direct incentive if he or she does not submit a claim, complete in all respects, within three months from the purchase of a new electric vehicle.
In case, it was found the applicant had claimed the assistance on the basis of wrong facts, the applicant would have to refund the amount along with 14% per annum of compound interest.
Such individuals would face legal action and be debarred from grant of any incentive/assistance from the UT Administration.
Apart from a complete waiver on registration fee and road tax, the UT has offered incentives in the range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 2 lakh for the first 42,000 buyers of EVs of all categories during the policy period. Since the implementation of the EV Policy in September 2022, as many as 3,281 two-wheelers and 1,785 four-wheelers have been registered in the city till July 15. According to the data provided by the RLA, as many as 352 electric two-wheelers and 114 four-wheelers were registered from September to December in 2022. The highest 2,103 electric two-wheelers and 1,013 four-wheelers had been registered in 2023 and 826 two-wheelers and 658 four-wheelers till July 15 this year.
1,160 car buyers among beneficiaries
Officials of CREST said of total 3,338 electric vehicles, 2,012 were two-wheelers, 1,160 four-wheelers, 153 three-wheeler and 13 four-wheelers (goods carrier). New buyers who, purchase a new electric vehicle between September 20, 2022, and September 19, 2027, will be eligible for direct incentive subject to the number of vehicles to be incentivised as per the policy.
