Fadnavis: Maharashtra to become EV destination, plans to bring Rs 25,000-crore investment

The Maharashtra government has adopted a policy to promote electric vehicles and plans to bring Rs 25,000-crore investment for their manufacturing, according to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 25 September.

The Maharashtra Electric Vehicle and Related Infrastructure Policy — 2018, envisages state as a competitive destination for the electric vehicles and manufacturing of the components.

He said the government is encouraging use of electric vehicles by its departments.

As part of the e-mobility drive, Fadnavis was speaking at a function in Mantralaya (state secretariat), where five e-vehicles procured on rent from Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) were handed over to the PWD department.

EESL will provide 1,000 such vehicles in phases on rent. Initially, two charging stations each will be set up in Mantralaya (Mumbai) and Nagpur for these vehicles.

This initiative is aimed at encouraging the use of electric vehicles by government departments to protect the environment, Fadnavis said.

Fadnavis said, “The decision to adopt electric vehicles is to promote green and clean fuel. Through e-mobility we plan to make Maharashtra the most favoured destination for electric vehicles. Our comprehensive policy is aimed at creating an infrastructure and environment to promote electric vehicles along with boosting the component manufacture to bring investments and employment.”

Maharashtra government had signed an MoU with the EESL in May to lease electric cars and install electric vehicle chargers as part of the e-mobility project of the Centre and the state. The energy service company comes under the union power ministry at centre. The MoU also envisages manufacturing such vehicles and their spare parts.

It may be noted that despite being the most industrialised state in the country, the state has been losing out to Tamil Nadu when it comes to its status as an auto hub. While Maruti Suzuki is spread out between Haryana and Gujarat, the second largest auto maker, Hyundai, has found a welcome home in Tamil Nadu.  Mahharashtra possibly sees EV’s as a second big opportunity to get some major auto manufacturing to move its way.