- Kerala Neem G’ autorickshaw
- Most of the auto rickshaws on the road runs on petrol and diesel.
- Kerala government conceptualized the idea of eco-friendly e-autos.
- Kerala Automobiles, a public sector establishment.
- The Thiruvananthapuram-based KAL, which started functioning in 1978, forayed into electric autorickshaw manufacturing last year.
- It is for the first time in the country that a public sector establishment is venturing into the field of electric auto manufacturing.
- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the commercial-scale production of Kerala’s own e-auto ‘Neem-G’.
- E-vehicles are a relief in the times of rising fuel prices.
- By charging for 3 hours and 50 minutes, the auto can travel for 100 kilometers.
- It costs 50 paisa for a kilometer.
- The cost of e- auto is ₹2.85 lakh and subsidies are made available.
- Will be able to ferry up to 600 kg of goods
- KAL aims to sell 500 e-autos in Nepal annually.
- Talks are on to export the e-autos to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Kenya as well.
- The three-seat unit is being sold to Nepal for ₹2.85 lakh, which is the same rate as in the country.
- Indigenously-made battery using German technology
- Charging can be done using a three-pin plug in households also. The vehicle will use a 2 KV motor.
- The electric auto does not require regular gear and clutch mechanism, and provision has been made for reversing the vehicle.
- National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP)
- The target of government to achieve 6-7 million sales of electric and hybrid vehicles in India by 2020 aims to achieve national fuel security
- Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) scheme. GOI aims to achieve 30% EV penetration in the transport sector by 2030
- India’s commitment is to reduce the emission intensity by 33%-35% by 2030
- The Goods and Services Tax (GST) slashed on electric vehicles (EVs) to 5% from 12% and the levy on EV chargers or charging stations to 5% from 18%, effective from August 1, 2019
- GST for Lithium ion storage batteries is at 18 per cent
- Challenge related to Bharat VI transition
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