Andhra Pradesh to consider electric vehicle bonds to promote electric buses
AMARAVATI: An experts committee on Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has suggested the state government to issue special electric vehicle (EV) bonds to pool up funds from international and national funding agencies for introduction of EVs on a massive scale.
The committee observed that special bonds will help APSRTC secure funds at a cheaper rate of interest. The committee said that introduction of e-buses into APSRTC will drastically cut down its losses and along with helping the environment protection. The committee headed by former DGP C Anjaneya Reddy met the chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy at his camp office on Friday and submitted a special report on electric vehicles.
The committee asked the state government to set up a dedicated e-bus business development wing in APSRTC to take quick decisions with regard to e-vehicles. It also suggested the state government to allow TTD to replace all the existing diesel buses with electric buses to protect environment in Tirumala.
The committee said that APSRTC could explore making use of solar energy for setting up charging units instead of going for wind power option. “A feasibility study should be conducted to set up solar panels in as many as bus stations and buildings owned by the corporation to help create more charging points,” the committee noted. It observed that it might not be a big task to secure loans if the savings from energy if the entire fleet of APSRTC is replaced by electric vehicles is converted into monies and reflected the same amount into discount on the actual costs being spent on the diesel.
“Since the state government has decided to extend fullest support to the e-vehicles, constitution of a high-level committee headed by chief minister will help expedite the decisions. The high-level committee should meet at least once every three months,” suggested the committee.
Committee noted that separate mechanism should be set up in the APSRTC to take care of the gross contracts of e-vehicles in the corporation. The committee asked the APSRTC to take measures required for installation of charging points according to the plans to introduce 350 e-buses in the first phase. It also advised the corporation to ready the guidelines in such a way that the corporation should get subsidies from FAME scheme of Centre. Transport department principal secretary and in-charge MD of APSRTC, MT Krishnababu, committee members were also present.
Source : timesofindia
