Bihar to bring policy to promote manufacturing and use of EVs in the state

The Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar while reviewing a department’s presentation on the state government’s draft policy on ‘Electric Vehicle (EV) Manufacturing’ has asked official of industries, energy, urban development and housing to work on policies to promote the use of EVs and manufacturing of the vehicles in the state.

The presentation was made at ‘Sankalp’ hall at the CM residence in Patna.

Kumar said “Senior officials of industries, energy, urban development and housing, transport and finance departments should hold a joint meeting in near future and discuss all practical aspects before finalizing a policy for promoting such vehicles.”

He added “Bring such a policy that people get opportunity of employment, maximum people are benefitted, and environment of urban areas remain protected. If a company wants to manufacture e-rickshaw in Bihar, you must give them certain benefit. Buyers too should be given certain kind of benefits. People using electric vehicles also must get some incentives.”

The central government has asked all states to make its own policy for promotion of electric vehicle manufacturing.

Investment commissioner RS Shrivastava during his presentation said there was need of making certain amendments in the Bihar Industrial Investment Promotion Policy- 2016 to promote electric vehicle manufacturing in the state.

Kumar also asked the officials of five departments to include electric vehicles under the Mukhya Mantri Gram Parivahan Yojna. “Take necessary steps to promote electric vehicles in small towns having civic bodies like Nagar Parishad and Nagar Panchayat,” CM said.

The officials will also work on the plan to install adequate number of EV charging stations in the state.