EV Policy 2021: Maharashtra Government Proposes To Build A Gigafactory For Lithium-Ion Batteries

The Maharashtra state government is expected to approve the revised Electric Vehicles (EV) Policy 2021 soon. The revised draft policy is currently awaiting a final nod from the state cabinet. As a part of its revised EV policy, the government intends to electrify at least 10 per cent of its new registered vehicles in major cities by 2025. Now, the government has proposed a gigafactory project in the state. According to a report from ETAuto, the state transport ministry on Friday made a presentation before chief minister Uddhav Thackery for a gigafactory to manufacture advanced lithium-ion batteries.

Also Read: Maharashtra Aims To Electrify 10% Of Newly Registered Vehicles In Next 5 Years​

The Maharashtra government intends to electrify at least 10 per cent of its new registered vehicles in major cities in the next five years.

During the presentation, the state transport ministry also emphasised developing charging infrastructure to encourage people to shift to electric cars and bikes by 2025. The government also plans to set up over 2,300 charging stations in government buildings, MSRTC bus stops, besides petrol pumps, and malls in the future. An official said to ETAuto, "Also, incentives are being planned to attract industries from the sector to set up in Maharashtra."

Transport commissioner Avinash Dhakne said that the 2018 EV policy emphasised more on investments and incentives, while the 2021 policy draft is more inclined towards infrastructure. He said to ETAuto, "There has to be affordability and good infrastructure to push for e-vehicles." He also added that CM asked senior officials for their feedback on the proposed policy and the larger benefits to citizens.

The state transport ministry also emphasised developing charging infrastructure to encourage people to shift to electric cars and bikes by 2025.

Also Read: Electric Cars Expected To Be Launched In India In 2021​

The 2021 EV policy draft targets major cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik and Aurangabad to achieve 25 per cent electrification of intra-city public transport, as well as last-mile delivery vehicles by 2025.

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