After electric buses, now the government is going to give a huge subsidy on the purchase of electric trucks as well. This is a revolutionary step, which aims to increase the number of e-trucks in the country and reduce carbon emissions. While diesel trucks spread heavy pollution, e-trucks can reduce pollution by up to 35 percent. This is not only better for our environment but will also bring a big change in the logistics sector.
₹500 crore allocated for e-trucks
Although battery-powered e-trucks cause zero pollution, carbon emissions occur in the production of electricity used to charge the battery. The Ministry of Heavy Industries has made this calculation on this basis. Under the PM E-Drive Scheme, a subsidy will be given on the purchase of e-trucks, and a large allocation of ₹500 crore has been made in this item. The government will provide a subsidy on the purchase of a total of 5600 e-trucks. This subsidy will range from ₹2.7 lakh to ₹9.7 lakh, making it more affordable to buy e-trucks. The two-year PM E-Drive Scheme ends on March 31 next year.
Special plan for Delhi and SAIL
Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy said that out of 5600 trucks, 1100 e-trucks will be run in Delhi, and an amount of ₹100 crore will be given as a subsidy for e-trucks registered in Delhi. This subsidy will be based on the rule of ‘First Come, First Served’. Kumaraswamy also informed that Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has decided to deploy 150 e-trucks at its various locations in the next two years. This move will also encourage other large industries to adopt e-trucks.
It will be necessary to scrap the old truck to get a subsidy
To get a subsidy on the purchase of an e-truck, it will be mandatory for you to scrap your old truck. You have to get your old truck scrapped at a scrap center authorized by the Public Transport Department and get its certificate. The subsidy amount will be given on the basis of this certificate.
Currently, companies like Volvo Eicher, Tata Motors, and Ashok Leyland are manufacturing e-trucks in the country, which will also boost domestic production. More information about this scheme can be obtained by visiting the portal related to the PM e-Drive Scheme, and the application for this will also have to be done through this portal.
Two-wheelers and three-wheelers also got a subsidy
According to the ministry, under the PM e-Drive scheme, a target was set to subsidize two lakh three-wheelers in two years, and out of these, 1.60 lakh three-wheelers have been subsidized so far. Similarly, a target was set to subsidize the purchase of 24.5 lakh two-wheelers in two years, and so far, 12 lakh two-wheelers have received a subsidy. Under the PM e-Drive scheme, a total of ₹ 10,900 crore has been allocated for a subsidy on the purchase of all types of electric vehicles. This shows that the government is fully committed to promoting electric mobility.
Subsidy announced for rare earth magnets, too
The Heavy Industries Minister said that the government will provide a subsidy of ₹1345 crore for the manufacture of rare earth magnets. An inter-ministerial draft has been issued to decide on this, and discussions are going on. This subsidy will be given to the manufacturing company that converts rare earth oxide into magnets. At present, it has been decided to give a subsidy to two companies, but it can be increased as per need. This step will promote local production of components required for the manufacture of electric vehicles in the country.