From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Feb 27: As part of the efforts to encourage electric mobility in Karnataka, the State Government is planning to develop an electric vehicle cluster, said Large and Medium Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar in Bengaluru on Thursday.
The proposed fund will also focus on getting local manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries up and running soon, he said.
He was speaking at the workshop and exhibition on e-Mobility and charging infrastructure, at Bharat Scouts and Guides premises in Bengaluru, today.
Shettar said “Batteries comprise 30% the cost of an EV, one of the most expensive components in the entire unit. EVs will be easily affordable by all if this cost is reduced. In this regard, the state government’s priority is to initiate local manufacturing of EV batteries. We will also develop an electric vehicle cluster in the state and keep a dedicated fund for e-mobility/manufacturing sector.’’
He said e-mobility is gaining importance in the automotive industry in India and Karnataka has emerged as the frontrunner in this sector.
An ecosystem favourable for e-mobility is being built in the state, he said. According to a recent report published by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Ola Mobility Institute, the minister said India has the potential to become the largest EV market in the world.
Bengaluru has more 9,000 e-vehicles and boasts of major players such as Mahindra Electric, Ather Energy, Yulu, Vogo, NDS Eco Motors and others, he added.
“Karnataka is the first among 10 states to have taken a lead with a separate policy in 2017 and aims to become an EV manufacturing hub and for developing battery technology,’’ he said.
He said the state government will also be integrating e-vehicles in public transport. Under the Centre’s FAME India II scheme, the State will get 400 e-buses, of which 300 will be leased by the BMTC. Government has decided to hire 6,000 more buses for BMTC of which 50% will be electric buses,” said the minister.
BESCOM is set to start operations of EV fast-charging stations at 12 locations. It will also be installing 100 charging points at 80 locations. These charging stations can be accessed easily via an app and one can book a slot in advance to avoid any queues, he said.
The minister said Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) will soon issue a notification to make it mandatory for all upcoming high rises, shopping malls and apartment complexes to provide provision for dedicated EV charging facilities in their parking lots.
Gaurav Gupta, Principal Secretary, invited companies to come forward to invest in EV sector as the state government has been mulling to set up EV cluster in Karnataka.
The prices of EVs will be affordable once the expensive components such as batteries are manufactured locally. The State Government will also request for a subsidy from the Central Government to open EV charging centres, he said.
The Minister also inspected electric auto rickshaw which was at the venue. NSIC CEO Ravikumar, President of Laghu Udyog Bharati Srikanth Dutta and others were present.