Kerala government recently signed a MoU with World Resources Institute (WRI) to implement an electric vehicle policy, and value capture financing policy framework for Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode reports The New Indian Express.
The MoU was signed during the stakeholder consultation workshop on EV policy and way forward for KMTA inaugurated by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Mascot Hotel.
Pinarayi speaking to the publication said “Environmental conservation is on the top of our agenda in the state, as we are recovering from the devastating flood. In this context, the idea of electric mobility is of great significance. The suggestions received through such workshops will be incorporated and the final EV policy will be issued soon,” he added “KSRTC has the enviable tag of being the first in south India to run environmentally-friendly electric buses.”
The workshop was organized to bringing together stakeholders- manufacturers, OEMs, startups and technology solution providers – in the EV ecosystem, together with government decision-making bodies says the report. It was aimed at encouraging a discussion around the strategies to be adopted by the state for EV and for operationalising the KMTA Bill.
“As per the recent Central government notification, permission is not required for e-buses, hence it will increase the vehicle population on roads. We must consider the capacity of roads and traffic congestion while making such a decision. There is the need to rethink such permit policies,” said Transport Minister A K Saseendran.
The state government is putting in all its efforts to provide better infrastructure for EV that includes adequate power availability, a network of charging points, and favourable power tariff.