In a bid to combat air pollution, the Delhi government has proposed to make 25 per cent of all vehicles to be electric by 2023.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government released the draft 'Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2018' for public comments and feedback on Tuesday. As various reports on air pollution in Delhi cite vehicular emission as key factor, the government has come out with the electric vehicle proposal.

"Rapid adoption of zero-emission electric vehicles is, therefore, of great importance to Delhi," Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot said.

The Delhi government has planned to create a significant corpus of funds to incentivise every vehicle segment. "All incentives are in addition to the incentive offered by the Government of India as part of the Scheme for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicles in India," the draft report said.

The policy draft states various subsidies that will be offered by the Delhi government on the use of electric vehicles.

"The Delhi government will offer a subsidy up to Rs 22,000 on purchase of e-two wheelers to ensure their cost is less than or equal to petrol two wheelers. Government Electric two-wheeler taxis will be allowed to provide last mile connectivity and Scrapping Incentive of up to Rs 15,000 on old BS II and BS III two wheelers. This policy will allow open permit system for e-autos in Delhi while Individual e-auto owners will get down payment subsidy up to Rs 12,500 and 5 per cent interest subvention and similarly the cashback for passengers using e-autos up to Rs 10 per trip will be offered through this policy," stated the report.

"Government plans to promote more e-rickshaws for mile connectivity offering individual e-rickshaw owners. They will get payment subsidy up to Rs 20,000 and 5 per cent interest subvention. To reduce carbon emission govt offers full waiver on registration fees, road tax and MCD one-time parking fee for elecric cabs and cashback for passengers using e-cabs up to Rs 10 per trip."

"Under this policy, fully electric buses will be at least 50 per cent of all new buses procured for the city fleet starting with the induction of 1,000 electric buses in 2019. The government will offer substantial incentives to private stage-carriage vehicles of all sizes to ensure that electric vehicles make up at least 50 per cent of the entire public transport system in Delhi by 2023."

Other than public transport, government will offer subsidy up to Rs 20,000 for the first 5,000 e-Carriers with advanced, swappable batteries for electric goods carriage. Offering exemptiom from prohibition on plying and idle parking of lights goods vehicles during specified timings.

Under the policy, the Delhi government will set up huge cable of charging stations like of petrol pumps. "Battery charging and swapping stations to be setup across Delhi with private sector participation at existing public parking zones, bus depots and terminals, metro stations etc. Energy Operators identified for operating charging stations based on competitive bidding with Up to 100 per cent capital subsidy. Government to also provide special electricity tariff for operation of battery charging and swapping stations. This policy will provide private charging stations across the capital. 100 per cent subsidy on installation of charging point up to Rs 30,000 per charging point for the first 10,000 points at residential or non-residential buildings."

The transport minister said the Delhi government would "amend building bye-laws to ensure both home and work place parking becomes EV ready through mandatory installation of charging conduits."

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