West Bengal to introduce 1200 electric buses in Kolkata – Economic Times

Kolkata News

In a bid to reduce carbon emission and increase the green footprint, West Bengal government is planning to introduce 1200 electric buses in Kolkata in next three years. Already 80 electric buses are functional while the total 125 will be operational by July. All the government buses in Kolkata will either be electric buses or CNG in the coming days, to reduce emission.

The West Bengal government announced exemption of registration fees, motor vehicle and other taxes for two & four wheeled electric vehicles and all categories of CNG-operated vehicles. State Transport Minister Firhad Hakim told ET that the aim is to encourage all the private bus operators to shift to CNG and promote clean energy. Kolkata still has diesel operated buses, contributing to pollution.

West Bengal government announced exemption of registration fees, motor vehicle and other taxes for two & four wheeled electric vehicles and all categories of CNG-operated vehicles, Hakim, who is Transport Minister told ET that the aim is to encourage all the private bus operators to shift to CNG and promote clean energy. Kolkata still has diesel operated buses, contributing to pollution.

“We are running electric buses on selective routes now. E-buses will help reduce zero emission to reduce air quality. Diesel engines converted to CNG will reduce emission,” Hakim said.

All government buses will be e-bus or CNG buses. CNG converted Diesel engines. Campaigns for green emission

Life span of public and commercial vehicles will be increased from 15 to 20 years, to help Tram services will continue in selective routes. If we run electric air Kolkata of Kolkata will be better.

Heritage shows have been started in trams, with exhibitions and public shows. But funding in a constraint.

The West Bengal on Friday has announced exemption of registration fees, motor vehicle and additional taxes for two and four wheeled electric vehicles and all categories of CNG-operated vehicles from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024.

It is pertinent to mention that exempting motor vehicle and additional taxes along with registration fees for two and four-wheeled battery-operated electric vehicles and all categories of CNG-operated vehicles from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024 is as per the state finance minister’s budget announcement for 2022-23.

For those vehicles which were registered between April 1, 2022 and the date of issuance of the notification on May 25, the financial incentive will be in the form of extension of tax validity for the exact number of days for which tax has been paid between April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024, a recent order signed by transport department secretary Rajesh Sinha said. This will decrease on the road prices of several categories of green energy operated vehicles, sources said.

“Financial relief/exemption to incentivise investment in battery-operated electric vehicles and also to incentivise reduction in carbon footprint and to reduce dependence on petrol or diesel,” Hakim said.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/west-bengal-to-introduce-1200-electric-buses-in-kolkata/articleshow/91931753.cms