Upcoming Odisha State EV Policy To Push Green Vehicles

The Odisha State Government, in an initiative to promote green and clean energy in the state, has announced the tabling of a new electric vehicle (EV) policy soon. This was announced by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, also the state Minister for Energy. The minister reiterated that more and more EVs will be included for official use.

Under the new EV policy, all government departments must purchase EVs for official use. Vehicle passes will be issued only to the employees at the state secretariat. The Energy Minister said, "Initially, a certain percentage of EVs will be purchased to meet the demand. We shall gradually phase out the petrol and diesel vehicles."

The Energy Minister reiterated that this comes in the wake of growing pollution that is creating health hazards across the state. Singh Deo informed that the Governor’s house has purchased four EVs, part of the cavalcade. Odisha State Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati requested people to turn towards EVs and phase out their petrol and diesel-run vehicles. He reiterated that it’s the call of the hour to say no to fossil fuels due to the pollution and health problems.

Singh Deo assures that more and more fast charging points will come up across the fuel filling stations. To ease the traffic at the filling stations, fast charging points would be made across malls and large residential complexes, apart from strategic locations in the city.

Further, battery swapping arrangements are also being made where people can drop off their low-charge batteries and pick up charged batteries.

The initiative to push for EVs comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a transition to clean energy. The Government plans to offer incentives to employees, enabling them to replace their old petrol and diesel driven vehicles.

State Energy Secretary, Vishal Kumar, informed that the new policy, which is at a discussion level will be implemented to improve the existing EV policy 2021. Subsidies are provided to government employees to buy EVs under the old policy.