Arteev Sharma
Jammu: The popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) has surged significantly in Jammu and Kashmir over the past three years, with the number of EVs on the road increasing by nearly 200 percent.
This trend is apparently driven by a combination of economic factors, such as rising fuel costs, and a growing awareness of environmental sustainability.
Official statistics from the transport department reveal a significant increase in EV registrations, particularly in urban areas like Jammu and Srinagar cities, as well as semi-urban areas where the people are increasingly opting for EVs over conventional diesel and petrol vehicles.
“As many as 4,689 EVs were registered with transport department of Jammu and Kashmir during the year 2022. However, this number doubled in 2023 when a total of 9,747 vehicles were registered in the Union Territory. The growing inclination towards EVs could be well gauged from fact that a total of 12,960 EVs have been registered with transport department of Jammu and Kashmir by December 15 of the current year,” the statistics showed.
An official of transport department, who wished not to be named, said, “The ongoing shift (from conventional diesel and petrol vehicles to EVs) can be attributed to a combination of various factors, including rising fuel costs, government subsidies, and growing interest in eco-friendly alternatives”.
“In the last three years, we have seen a substantial increase in EV registrations. People are attracted by the cost-effectiveness of EVs and their environmental benefits. The operating cost of an EV is almost one-third that of a petrol or diesel vehicle, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers,” the official said, adding. “The financial appeal of EVs, combined with their environmental benefits, has played a pivotal role in their rising popularity”.
It may be placed here that the Government of India notified the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-Drive) scheme on September 29 this year with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore for promotion of electric vehicles in the country.
The PM E-Drive scheme aims to incentivise sale of e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-Trucks & e-Ambulances. The incentive/ concession is provided to consumers (buyers/end users) in the form of an upfront reduced purchase price of electric vehicles to enable wider adoption, which will be reimbursed to the OEM (EV manufacturers) by Government of India.
In 2022, the government also launched initiatives to install charging stations across key locations in the Union Territory, including highways, residential complexes, and public parking areas. The efforts have started bearing fruit, with more than 50 charging stations now operational, and several more in the pipeline.
Recently, the Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways disclosed that a total of 2,72,555 “end-of-life vehicles” are currently operating in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Of these, 1,10,793 are transport vehicles lacking valid fitness certificates, while 1,54,020 are non-transport vehicles without proper registration certificates. Additionally, 7,742 vehicles with cancelled registrations continue to ply on the roads of the region.
