Leh, June 24:  The Transport department, Ladakh organised a display and test drive of E-cars for public awareness at Taxi Union, Bomgard Leh. The display camp was an initiative of the department towards making the UT self-sustainable, SMART, integrated, and carbon neutral.

Commissioner Secretary, Transport Department, Saugat Biswas, during the event, stressed that the administration has come up with the Ladakh Electric Vehicle Policy to encourage transporters and individuals to avail of subsidies on e-vehicles to create a carbon-neutral future for the UT. He further stressed on wide publicity and circular of the EV policy among the people. 

The electric vehicle policy “Ladakh’s Electric Vehicle and Allied Infrastructure Policy 2022” will encourage the transporter and individuals to avail subsidy to create a carbon-neutral future for the UT. The policy entails a capital subsidy of 20 % on two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers. To encourage sustainable and eco-friendly public transport, public buses will be given a capital subsidy of 50% under this policy, during the first year of the policy period after which it will be halved. 

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Moreover, he added that those interested in starting their charging infrastructure business must take advantage of availing government subsidies on the same, including the EV Policy. Capital subsidy on equipment/machinery (capital subsidy of 25% on the equipment /machinery OR Rs. 5,00,000 (whichever is less) per station for the first 15 Electric Vehicle charging stations will be provided. The policy underlines that the electric power required by commercial EV charging stations would be charged at domestic rates.

He urged the drivers and commercial vehicle owners to take advantage of the e-Vehicle policy of Ladakh and usher in a carbon-neutral transport eco-system in Ladakh. 

Expressing his gratitude, Commissioner Secretary Biswas lauded the UT Motor Garage’s efforts in organising such a display and demonstration camp. 

Earlier, Deputy Director, District Motor Garage Leh, Dr. Zulfikar Ali, informed that the event was organised to encourage the drivers to adopt electric vehicles in the country and envisions encouraging and cultivating an EV ecosystem and that such awareness camps will help clear the misconceptions regarding the performance of E-cars in hilly areas such as Ladakh. Further, he urged the drivers to opt for E-cars that will help reduce dependence on fossil fuel-powered vehicles and take advantage of the available subsidies. He requested the car dealers/agencies in Leh to introduce more such cars in the region. 

Later, Dy Director Garages briefed about the details of the vehicle’s specifications and displayed E-cars were taken for test drives by the drivers.

President, Taxi Union Leh, a team from Hyundai company, and members of Taxi Union were present at the occasion.