Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Mar 3: People of the coastal region are giving more attention to electric vehicles with the intention of escaping from the rising cost of fuel as well as getting the benefit of the subsidy.

In just one year 450 electric vehicles have taken to the road in the coastal region. Union and state governments are stressing the purchase of electric vehicles. Karnataka has been identified as the first state to have brought E-vehicle policy in the country.

From January 1, 2020, till February 24, 2021, 284 and 166 electric vehicles have been registered in the districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi respectively. This includes two-wheelers, auto-rickshaw and cars. Electric scooters are available for Rs 90,000. They run for 100 km if charged once.

Some obstacles are still preventing large scale sales of electric vehicles. Rs 1 lac is required to convert a normal auto rickshaw that runs on petrol or CNG to electric. The cost of the battery is very high. So the government has to increase the present subsidy of Rs 20 to 25,000. Another issue is that the buyers complain of the low speed compared to petrol vehicles.

Sadananda, owner of an electric shop in the city stated that scooters that run on petrol can be changed to electric and maintained that there are some who have expressed interest in the same.

Compared to last year, the registration of electric vehicles is going to increase considerably this year. The state government has established DC fast-charging stations at various places in Bengaluru with the intention of encouraging the public to buy electric vehicles. There is a plan to set up one centre in Mangaluru also. At present, a private organization is operating this facility.