Nagpur: Aimed at controlling the pollution, the Central and State governments have been making efforts to increase the use of e-vehicles. However, the State Transport Department has not made any plans to hire an officer with electronics qualification. Hence, the question of how to conduct technical inspection of e-vehicles by RTO offices remains unanswered.
Presently the Transport Department has officers with educational qualification like automobile and mechanical engineering. These officers have very limited knowledge related to electronics. The composition of petrol, diesel and electric vehicles is quite different. Hence, automobile and technical officers do not have this level of knowledge. The government has no plan to appoint such specialist officers.
66,482 vehicles registered:
Notably, after the implementation of Maharashtra Electric Policy-2021 by the Government, the registration of 25 km speed e-bikes and e-vehicles with a capacity of more than 250 watts has started in the State. Since then, 66,482 high capacity e-vehicles have been registered in the State.
According to the technical experts in the electric vehicle sector, in the past, more technology related to mechanical and very less technology related to electrical was used in two-wheelers and four-wheelers. But now most of the technology in e-vehicles is related to electronics. Therefore, it is necessary for the government to immediately appoint officers in this category.
According to the top officials of the Transport Department, an officer with automobile educational qualification can also inspect the e-vehicles. It does not require separate knowledge of electronics or electricals.
e-bikes: 1.10 lakh challans issued in State:
The Transport Commissioner’s office has provided batteries with a capacity of more than 250 watts and 25 kmph to all RTOs. State-wide action has been directed against e-bikes and e-vehicles exceeding the speed limit. Accordingly, RTOs issued 1.10 lakh challans to vehicle owners across the state. However, the question arises as to how the fine was imposed under the Section 182(A) of Motor Vehicles Act when these vehicles were not registered and there is confusion among the RTO officials as well.
The Central and State Governments have implemented the ‘e-Vahan’ policy to increase the use of ‘e-vehicles.’ Accordingly, these vehicles are provided with tax relief and subsidy as well as other assistance. At the same time, under the Motor Vehicle Act, vehicles with a speed of less than 250 watts and up to 25 kmph are not required to register in the RTO. Drivers don’t even need a license. However, for sale of e-vehicles, manufacturers will have to obtain permits, including the design of the vehicle, from a body authorized by the Central Government.
Many citizens buy vehicles in this category as they do not require registration and license. Petrol prices have been increasing continuously for the last few months. This has led to an increase in the sales of e-vehicles. Similarly, the Transport Commissioner’s office directed the RTO offices to take action against vehicles with battery capacity more than 250 watts and speed above 25 kmph without providing any resources. Accordingly, action was taken everywhere. The RTO also imposed fines on several vehicle owners in Nagpur and other areas.
Experts in the field say that since the vehicle is not actually registered, it is not possible to take action against it under the Section 182(A) of Motor Vehicles Act. Hence there is confusion among the RTO officials across the state as to how to impose the penalty under this Section.
… then the vehicle has to scrapped:
According to the law, registration of an e-bike with a speed of more than 25 kmph is mandatory under Section 39. But in this case, if the speed is high, they can be prosecuted under Section 192. This vehicle can be scrapped accordingly. There is nothing wrong with the occupiers in these cases. As a result, the action taken by the Transport Commissioner’s office and RTO does not seem appropriate. Rather the vehicle needs improvement.
27 e-vehicles seized:
In the last week, all three RTO offices in Nagpur district seized 27 e-bikes and e-vehicles with a capacity of more than 250 watts and a speed of over 25 kmph. The action has come as a huge blow to the e-vehicle dealers and on their request a meeting was organized at the city office of the RTO last week. The seized vehicles include 8 from city limits, 7 from East Nagpur RTO office limits and 12 from rural Nagpur. Eight registered e-vehicle dealers in the city as well as distributors selling unregistered vehicles have been invited to the meeting.
