The Goa Government recently launched Goa Electric Mobility Promotion Policy 2021 (GEMPP) for a period of 5 years to promote electric vehicles (EVs) in the state. The policy was launched by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during the 'Round Table To Promote Electric Mobility' event in the presence of Minister of Heavy Industries Mahendra Nath Pandey, NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, transport minister of various states and other government and industry officials. Sawant said the primary objective of the policy is to encourage the usage of battery-driven vehicles in the state. Under its policy, the government aims to electrify at least 30 per cent of vehicles by 2025.
Also Read: Goa Government Approves Electric Mobility Policy; Aims For 30% Electrification By 2025
undefinedLIVE : Round Table Conference on Electric Mobility https://t.co/iLbWK3B2DU
— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) December 4, 2021
Speaking on the benefits provided under the policy, Sawant said, "We are giving incentives on manufacturing, waiver of road tax up to five years applicable to all classes of e-vehicles registered in Goa."
As a part of the policy, the state government will also provide subsidies to the buyers of electric vehicles and set up charging infrastructure. He further added that the government will set up charging infrastructure on every 25 km on highways while charging stations in the city will be on shorter distances than the highways.
The state government will offer a 30 per cent subsidy for electric two-wheelers
He further said that the policy aims to create 10,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities by 2025, and the demand for e-vehicles will help attract investments in the state.
The policy will cover two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheeler electric vehicles. The state government will offer a 30 per cent subsidy for two-wheelers and a 40 per cent subsidy for three-wheelers. While four-wheelers will attract a subsidy of up to Rs. 3 lakh. However, it will be given to around 400 vehicles on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Sohinder Gill, Director General, Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) said, "We congratulate the central as well as state governments for holding a successful EV conference in Goa. The recommendations and views shared by Government representatives are encouraging, which will further strengthen the industry's confidence. Additionally, we welcome the Goa EV policy, which has laid down a clear target of conversion of ICE two-wheelers into electric by 2030. However, we believe that limiting subsidy to only 3150 EVs may not be enough to accelerate the adoption. The state that has over a million ICE vehicles on road may need to relook at the numbers to be supported under the scheme so that more number of citizens can avail the benefit and shift to electric."
