The Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) has requested the Government of Tamil Nadu to consider the inclusion of electric two-wheeler under the Amma scheme. In a press conference that was hosted in Coimbatore today, members of SMEV which included representatives from Hero Electric, Ather Energy, Ampere Vehicles, Lohia Auto, Avon among others. Rajagopalan, Area Manager, Sales and Service (South), Lohia Auto, Abhilash A S, Assistant Manager, Hero Electric Private Limited and Hemalatha Annamalai, Founder and Managing Director, Ampere Vehicles Pvt Ltd addressed the media.
“Electric Vehicles offer multiple advantages to working women including zero cost of petrol, no requirement of driving licence, lower maintenance cost, higher mobility and easy to handle. SMEV represents 16 leading auto-manufacturers and companies which forms the future of mobility which is electric.” Hemalatha Annamalai said.
Seconding her was Abhilash A S who added “Electric vehicles are approved and covered under the central government subsidy in form of NEMMP ranging from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 22,000 per vehicle. The SMEV is also working closely with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Heavy Industry, Niti Aayog and State Nodal agencies, on pilot projects for the implementation of electric mobility across many Indian states and union territories. One lakh women under the amma two wheeler scheme will get the government subsidy of up to 50% of the cost of a two-wheeler, subject to a maximum of Rs 20,000. Rs 200 crore is allocated for the implementation of the scheme this year.”
Members of the SEV informed that electric scooters can be charged through household electric power and will consume approximately 1 to 1.5 units per full charge which gives 60-km to 70-km of driving range. Also, these scooters are usually charged at night and therefore they do not create any extra burden on the electric grid.
Members of the SMEV reiterated the plea for adoption of electric two-wheeler under the amma scheme. “This will not only empower one-lakh women but also will make them economically independent and self reliant in terms of mobility.” Hemalatha Annamalai said.
The Tamil Nadu government has been on the forefront to implement newer technologies and has been the first state in the country to offer battery operated vehicles for the differently abled from 2010 to 2012.