Madhya Pradesh’s aggressive initiatives to boost EV adoption

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Participants in a webinar themed ‘Making Madhya Pradesh an EV State’ opined that companies should come forward to support the development of EVs in the State

In Madhya Pradesh, the government has started a policy for electric vehicles and suggestions have been invited from the industries to add more elements to it. As many as 217 charging stations have been given permission by the government, informed Nikunj Srivastava (IAS), Commissioner, Urban Administration and Development, Madhya Pradesh in a webinar on ‘Making Madhya Pradesh an EV State’ organised by MP Energy Development Corporation and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI). Energy Efficiency Bureau, Government of India, has launched an electric campaign to promote electric vehicles. Under this campaign, MP Energy Development Corporation and PHDCCI organised the webinar.

In the programme, Transport Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh Mukesh Jain (IPS) said that electric transport is a good option to protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions, and like other countries it should be mandatory in some areas and the policy and rules should be made accordingly. With this, participation can be increased on a large scale as well. He said that we will also have to work on the quality and recycling policy of the battery and only then we will be able to bring the electric vehicle to the public.

Shamsher Dewan, Vice President, ICRA Ltd., delivered the theme presentation and spoke about the various schemes of the central government for promoting EVs and also what the various state governments do to create an EV ecosystem. A knowledge report on ‘Madhya Pradesh Electric Vehicles’ prepared by PHDCCI and ICRA (an independent and professional investment information and credit rating agency) was also unveiled during the programme. Pradeep Multani, Senior Vice President of PHD Chamber, in his address, praised the efforts being made by Madhya Pradesh Energy Development Corporation and other agencies on electric vehicles and said that Madhya Pradesh is a fast developing state which is doing good work in environment and other areas.

He added that through this programme industries will be inspired to set up the right infrastructure for electric vehicles in Madhya Pradesh. Firoz Meshram, Chief Engineer, Madhya Pradesh Power Management Company Ltd., said that in order to increase more participation in the charging infrastructure, there is a provision to give permission to operators in 48 hours by MPPMCL. Apart from this, the fixed tariff has also been reduced. In the programme, Chairman of PHD Chamber’s Power and Energy Committee, Delhi, Sanjeev Gupta apprised that Madhya Pradesh is the second most populous state of the country and has immense potential for electric vehicles.

Dr. Surendra Bajpai Executive Engineer, Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam, while answering the questions of the participants in the technical session said that the rickshaw has emerged as a better option for last mile connectivity. S Muralidharan, Chairman, E-Mobility Market, suggested that there are many automobile manufacturing units in the state and parts of charging stations in electric vehicles can be made here, which will also reduce the cost and generate employment and new investment in the state.

Varun Chaturvedi, Founder, Volttic Charging, said that the government has made a lot of good efforts to promote electric vehicles and if the government is taking some more incentives in it, then it will help companies to set up charging stations. Other speakers in the technical session of the programme included Tushar Bhardwaj, CEO, Solar Energy Technology and Sanyog Tiwari, CEO, EV Urja. Ashish Modani, Vice President, ICRA, moderated the panel discussion. The programme was conducted by Dr. Yogesh Srivastava, Assistant Secretary General, PHD Chamber and vote of thanks was given by Pradeep Karambelkar, Chair, PHD Chamber Madhya Pradesh and Preeti Saluja, Co-Chair, PHD Chamber Madhya Pradesh.

The programme was sponsored by MP Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. ICRA was the knowledge partner and EV Tech News was the media partner of the programme. The webinar was well attended by CEOs and representatives of automobile and e-vehicle companies along with senior officers of the Government of Madhya Pradesh. PHDCCI’s webinars are supported by DLF India, Multani Pharmaceuticals, UFLEX, JK Tyre & Industries, Marble City, Paramount Cables, SMC Investments and Advisors, Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic, Comtech Interio, DCM Shriram Industries, Radico Khaitan, R E Rogers India, Ajit Industries, Synergy Environics, Continental Carriers (P) LTD., Timberworkz, Jindal Stainless, P S Bedi & Co, IFFCO and Hindware.