UP PCS Mains-2024

Approach Start by giving data related to electric vehicles (EV) adoption rate of Uttar Pradesh. Mention the objectives and features of the policy. Conclude by giving a way forward

Introduction

Uttar Pradesh leads with the most electric vehicles in India as the state joins the nation’s effort to curb pollution to transition away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles. According to the World Resource Institute (WRI)-India, the registration of EVs in Uttar Pradesh in 2022 witnessed a jump of 144 percent and total EV registration in the state accounts for 16.2 percent of the total EV sales across the country.

Leveraging its potential, the State Government aspires to make Uttar Pradesh a trillion-dollar economy. For this, the state government is promoting rapid industrialization with inclusive and sustainable development as its core strategy. Therefore, the state government has recognized ‘EV’ as a focus sector to unlock the opportunities in the industry for the State.

Body

A green economy is defined as low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive. The Green Economy provides a macro-economic approach to sustainable economic growth with a central focus on investments, employment and skills. To promote green economy in the state, the government has come up with the Uttar Pradesh Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Policy 2022.

Objectives:

• To make Uttar Pradesh a global hub for electric mobility development and manufacturing.
• To enable transition to eco-friendly transportation system particularly in cities.
• To enable investments for the development of charging infrastructure.
• To attract manufacturers across the EV ecosystem to the state to set up their manufacturing units and supply them to the global market.
• To promote research and innovations in battery technology, fuel cell technologies and EV electronics.

Features of the Policy:

• The State Government shall promote the creation of charging infrastructure in a grid of 3km × 3km in cities and at every 25 kms along Expressways/ Highways.
• The State Government is coordinating with NITI Aayog and Asian Development Bank (ADB) in formulating a ‘Comprehensive Electric Mobility Plan (CEMP)’ for Lucknow. This initiative shall be extended to all 17 Cities with Municipal Corporations.
• These plans shall help the State Government in formulating EV adoption and transition strategy and provide the following:
  • Targets for transition and adoption in all EV segments for the subject cities.
  • Identifying green routes in these cities & suitable peri urban areas for promoting EV
    • Accordingly, the State Government shall endeavour to attain 100% transition of public transportation to EV in these cities by 2030.
• The State Government will promote the transition of public transportation to EV in other urban and rural areas as well. For this, Green routes shall be identified in each district (other than 17 Cities with Municipal Corporations) by 2025 and ensure E-buses on each of these select routes.
• The State Government shall target 100 percent transition of Government vehicles (for official use) to EVs by 2030.
• The State Government will raise awareness to promote faster adoption EVs in the State.
• For the adoption of EVs, 100 percent exemption on Registration Fees & Road Tax will be given to the buyers on any EV purchased & registered in UP over a period of 3 years from the date of policy notification.
• The State Government through the policy aims at attracting big-ticket private investments to develop EV clusters with global standard infrastructure.
• The policy is aimed at creating a conducive business friendly environment in the State by ensuring simplification of procedures, timely clearances and responsive facilitation services.
• Capital subsidy of 20 percent (up to maximum ₹ 10 lakh per unit) to the first 2000 Charging Stations (investing minimum ₹25 lakh) shall be provided.
• The State Government will provide government land to government/ private entities on a revenue sharing model for a period of 10 years.
• 50 percent of Quality Certification charges will be reimbursed that is paid to Medium and Small Enterprises (MSME) EV/Battery projects for obtaining certification.

Conclusion

The Uttar Pradesh government should focus on promoting the EV industry in the State by creating charging infrastructure, faster EV adoption, and manufacturing. The success of EV policy depends upon four factors- affordability, convenience, technology, and awareness.