New Delhi : union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, in Lok Sabha on Thursday, said that the government plans to run 50,000 electric buses across the country in the coming times. He said that with this the common man would be able to travel in air-conditioned buses at cheap fares. This will also not cause any loss to the state transport organisations.
Gadkari gave this information replying to a question on Electric Vehicles (EVs) during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. He said that the demand for electric vehicles grew by 335 per cent in EVs, 607 per cent in electric two-wheelers, 150 per cent in electric three-wheelers, 300 per cent in electric four-wheelers and 30 per cent in electric buses.
He said the average waiting period for electric cars has gone up to 8-10 months. He expressed happiness that their sales are increasing in a big way. The Minister said that one crore EVs are expected to come by the year 2030 to reduce import dependency and pollution.
Gadkari said that the Central Government has just floated the world’s largest tender for 5500 electric buses. In this, for the first time, 250 buses have been provided in Kerala and the government plans to run 50,000 electric buses across the country in the times to come.
He said the cost of lithium-ion batteries was $180 per kWh in 2018, $140 per kWh in 2021 and $135 per kWh in 2022. He confidently said that within two years, prices of EV motor vehicles and two wheelers will be at par with petrol vehicles as its cost will be reduced.
The minister said that the government is working on a battery swapping policy. He said that ethanol electric with green hydrogen and flex engine will help in curbing imports and reduce pollution and will also create new jobs.
He said that they are working on increasing the charging stations across the country. 650 charging stations are being built on the road in NHAI. Apart from this, this facility is also being made available in government offices and parking places.