In a bid to make battery electric vehicles (BEVs) a bit more attractive for buyers, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has recommended exempting such vehicles from payment of fees for the purpose of issue or renewal of registration certificate as well as the assignment of a new registration mark. For this, Rule 81 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989 will have to be amended and a draft for the same has been submitted. The ministry is currently seeking comments and suggestions from all stakeholders.

If implemented, it should bring the on-road price of EVs down considerably. But will that be enough to entice consumers? Let’s face it, the electric mobility scene in India is currently at a very nascent stage. So much so that most people don’t even consider to purchase a battery electric vehicle (BEV) when they are out to buy one. Why? Well, there are several reasons but there are two which poke out like thorns. One, the lack of supporting infrastructure. And two, the high sticker price of electric vehicles (EVs) make them anything but value for money.

In the personal vehicle space, the only player that offers zero-emissions mobility is Mahindra. Next year, it will introduce an all-electric version of the KUV100 NXT hatchback. Apart from the Scorpio-maker, Hyundai and Morris Garages India have lined-up the introduction of their EVs in India. Next month, Hyundai Motor India will launch the Kona EV and, in December this year, MG will bring in the eZS. While the South Korean product will commence its Indian innings via the CKD route, the British product will be locally put together.

Unfortunately, neither EV will be able to take any advantage of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME), which is currently in phase two. Why exactly? You can get the answer here.