Transport Department plans electric autos on Bengaluru roads to promote Greenery

BENGALURU: In an attempt to deal with the increasing pollution levels in Bengaluru and across the state in general, the transport department will soon launch electric autorickshaws in the city.
As a part of Karnataka electric vehicle and energy storage policy 2017, now the department has decided to create its own version of electric autos instead of the patented battery-operated rickshaws because they are not permitted to run within the city.

The electric vehicles will be promoted in karnataka require retrofitting batteries to the existing autorickshaw models. Officials in the department said that the usual electric rickshaws are actually converted from cycle-rickshaws and they neither reach a speed of over 25 kmph nor are stable on the road.

While interacting with media, B Dayananda the transport commissioner said: “A month ago, we had proposed retrofitted electric autorickshaws to the government. The government too showed interest in promoting use of electric vehicles. Drivers who wish to opt for retrofitting would be supported by the department and the state. Once we get the required approvals, we’ll kickstart a drive to promote conversion of autorickshaws into electric mode.”

Karnataka is one of the states in country to announce a policy for electric vehicles at very early stage. The policy, unveiled in September, exempts electric vehicle owners from paying road taxes. The department is also working on introducing electric buses through BMTC and KSRTC. They are likely to be operated on inter city routes from Bengaluru to Tumakuru, Hassan and Kolar.