Law on EVs must change

The Electricity Act 2003 needs to be amended before electric vehicles can be manufactured in large scale. This is what the transport, power experts and incumbent and former government officials were of the view at a closed door meeting held on December 1 in Mumbai. The need has arose as the existing charging stations meant for electric vehicles (EVs) are levying around Rs 14 per unit which these experts feel that it should ideally be Rs 6-7 per unit. 

This comes at a time when air pollution has become a big issue --- Delhi is the perfect example of what air pollution has done to the city. Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) has introduced four electric buses which are operational in its fleet since November 11. 

On Friday, a closed door meeting to study the future of EVs took place at Ruia College in Matunga. “There is a need to create a new slab in the tariff structure especially for charging EVs. 

At present commercial rates are being charged, which is proving costly. The rates can easily be around Rs 6-7 per unit. For this amendment in the Electricity Act is needed and being thought about,” said V Sonavane, former Member, Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission.