Chandigarh Administration Alters Its EV Policy: Relaxes Registration Limits For Fuel-Run Two-Wheelers For 2023

Facing criticism for its strict limitations on non-electric vehicle registrations, the Chandigarh administration has made a significant change to its Electric Vehicle (EV) policy.

This change allows for more registrations of fuel-run (ICE) two-wheelers, bringing relief to both automobile dealers and buyers.

To gradually reduce the usage of fuel-powered two-wheelers and three-wheelers, the administration previously decided to register 35 per cent of electric two-wheelers in 2022-23, 70 per cent in 2023-24, and 100 per cent from 2024-25 onwards.

However, they have now relaxed the 70:30 target of electric and conventional two-wheelers to a ratio of 35:65 — allowing for the registration of 65 per cent non-electric two-wheelers in the current year.

Additionally, the new targets will be achieved in the calendar year instead of financial year, as previously decided. So far, only 12.5 per cent electric two-wheelers have been registered in the city.

This decision was made during a review meeting chaired by UT adviser Dharam Pal, with the presence of mayor Anup Gupta, home secretary Nitin Yadav, and other UT officers.

As per earlier reports, the administration had decided to stop registration of non-electric two-wheelers, starting July, in line with its EV policy.

The administration had planned to halt the registration once the target of 6,202 vehicles (30 per cent) was achieved in the 2023-24 financial year.

As of 28 June, a total of 5,500 non-electric two-wheelers have been registered in the city. It is expected that the target will be met by the end of this week, after which the registration of such vehicles will be discontinued, reports Hindustan Times.

The EV Policy announced in September 2022, aims to transform Chandigarh into a "Model EV City" by promoting the use of zero-emission vehicles.

Over the next five years, the policy aims to reduce the environmental impact caused by conventional vehicles and position Chandigarh as a leading city in terms of electric vehicle adoption.

Under the new policy, government departments will be required to exclusively purchase electric vehicles.

This measure is part of the broader effort to promote the adoption of electric vehicles and reduce dependency on conventional vehicles in Chandigarh.

Furthermore, the subsidy for e-bicycles will be increased from 25 per cent of the cost, capped at Rs 3,000, to a new cap of Rs 4,000.

Moreover, plans have been made to install a total of 53 charging stations at various locations, providing a combined total of 418 charging points.