Government approves plan for electric vehicles

The central government has given its approval to an eight year plan to promote electric and hybrid vehicles in the country to about. The sales target till 2020 is 60 lakh vehicles, including 40-50 lakh two wheelers. The plan, expected to cost र23,000cr, will be a part of the National Electric Vehicle Mission policy announced by the government last year. The policy includes features such as incentives to customers, vehicle charging infrastructure, funding for research & development to promote indigenisation and creation of EV zones. While the government will provide about र14,000cr, the private sector would contribute the remainder. There are currently just two electric manufacturers in the country – Mahindra and Mahindra and Kolkata based Tara International. Tata Motors and Hero Electric are expected to come up soon with new electric cars.