According to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the southern state is now among the few in India to have established an e – mobility strategy, despite global warming becoming the most serious crisis on the planet & affecting natural hazards across the world.
Speaking on Thursday at the global forum and expo Evolve 2023 on e-mobility and fuel switching, Vijayan said Kerala has set goals and created detailed roadmaps for accelerating the adoption of electric mobility to lessen reliance on traditional fuels.
He claimed that subsidies are available for the purchase of electric vehicles as well as for the conversion of old diesel autorickshaws to electric motors and batteries.
He added that there are also other incentives available, including a five-year tax exemption and a reduction in the road tax for electric cars.
The government is also working to provide more public charging facilities and induct electric buses into the fleet of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, he said.
Giving details of other environment-friendly measures being taken, the Chief Minister said, “The Cochin International Airport Limited is the first airport in the world that is fully powered by solar energy.
It is also energy with a 50 MW installed solar power ability alone. Solar energy and rainwater harvesting are obtaining major boosts thanks to our Kochi Metro. One of the most efficient in the country by any measure, KMRL’s solar plants supply 55% of the energy needs of the company. At the earliest opportunity, KMRL aims to be energy neutral as well. the Kochi Water Metro is a first for the nation and features air-conditioned boats that are powered by solar energy.
He said these measures show that sustainability was at the heart of the mobility solutions of the state.
Vijayan said a major hurdle in the shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is the higher initial cost of the vehicles in comparison to conventional vehicles as heavy-duty battery packs are expensive and are a major contributor of the excess cost.
Regarding initial cost, limited range, and battery life, he claimed that battery swapping was a practical solution. He also stated that, in addition to addressing concerns about climate change and global warming, e-mobility would also improve the country’s economic outlook.
“Therefore, we are hopeful that this international conference on e–mobility will set the stage for India’s comprehensive shift to a sustainable mobility environment,” Vijayan added.
