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Nagpur: We shall be the first city to get the electric radio cabs since we have the distinction of being the hometown of Nitin Gadkari, Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Shipping. With India’s pledge to go all electric by 2030, Nagpur will be the first city in the country to adopt electric cabs as the country moves a step closer to its goal.
The pilot project will see around 200 e-cabs in Nagpur with the local body to provide for the charging stations across the city. While the trial runs are ongoing for the grand event, there is still one major glitch. While the taxi permit rules specify that the taxis should have cubic capacity to be listed as a cab, the electric vehicles do not fall under the same category as other CNG-fitted cabs and could be a major issue for the initiative.
The central government is working on ways to amend this rule, so that the electric radio cabs are able to function without disrupting the current laws.
The government of India has already passed the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) India scheme in 2015 to promote electric cars. Under the FAME India scheme, around 99,000 hybrid/electric vehicles (xEVs) are currently given direct support by way of incentives since the launch on April 1, 2015. The Department has also approved pilot projects, charging infrastructure projects and technological development projects aggregating to nearly Rs 155 crore.
This move will surely promote the usage of electric and hybrid vehicles in India as the country is moving towards its goal of going all electric by 2030.
Currently some European nations have gone in a big way for electric cars already. However, considering the cost of maintaining an electric vehicle and the infrastructure not being readily available in India yet, it could be a major inconvenience for people who would want to buy electric vehicles.
Mahindra and Honda are few of the car-manufacturers who have electric and hybrid vehicles in their line-up. This situation should hopefully change, as hybrid and electric vehicles will help in the growing pollution in India.
