Government gives manufacturers 14 days to come up with EV roadmap

Earlier this month, industry leaders like TVS Motor’s Venu Srinivasan and Bajaj Auto’s Rajiv Bajaj voiced their opinion on the government's deadline to mandate the sale of electric three-wheelers and two-wheelers (under 150cc) from 2023 and 2025, respectively. They said that such a programme would derail growth for the domestic auto industry that is already tackling challenges of the upcoming BS6 emission norms and newer safety mandates.

Our sister publication, Autocar Professional, has learnt that, in a meeting between India Auto Inc and NITI Aayog officials today, the government is not looking to offer any kind of extension, despite the many challenges expressed by leading automakers about selling electric vehicles in such a short timeframe.

What's more is that, while the government has yet to come out with a final roadmap, it has already got all relevant ministries working on sharing their suggestions for outlining a roadmap for electric mobility in the country. Now, manufacturers in India have been given a flat timeline of two weeks to come out with a roadmap to enable e-three-wheeler sales by 2023, e-two-wheeler sales by 2025, and e-four-wheeler sales by 2030. Automakers had asked for a six-month period to come out with a formalised plan, but in today’s meeting with NITI Aayog, the companies have been denied the leeway.  

Interestingly, while there were expectations in terms of reduction in taxes on electric vehicle sales, as per the 35th Goods and Service Tax (GST) Committee meeting, there has been no change in tax structure. On the flip side, the GST body has constituted a separate EV Committee that will work in tandem to promote the electric mobility scenario in the country.