To achieve adoption of at least 20% battery electric vehicles in all vehicle registrations by 2025, the state cabinet headed by chief ministerNaveen Patnaikon Friday approved theOdisha Electric Vehicle(EV) Policy, 2021.The policy also aims to promote manufacturing of electric vehicles and its components including battery in the state, promote innovation and facilitate research and development in the areas relating to EVs and battery.

As per provision of the policy, the offers purchase incentive of around 15% on different categories of EVs which will be up to Rs 5,000 for two wheelers, Rs 12,000 for three wheelers and up to Rs 1lakhfor four wheelers.

The state government would also provide 100% interest-free loan to the state government employees for purchase of EVs. Similarly, government departments, offices, Public Sector Undertakings will now give preference to hire and purchase EVs for official use.

The policy said that the state government will provide appropriate incentives and other support to ensure that pure electric buses constitute at least 50% of all new stage carriages procured for the city buses in the next five years.

As availability of charging Infrastructure is key for adoption of EVs, the state government assures to provide Environment to enable for establishment of private as well as public charging infrastructure.