look news india
To control the increasing air pollution in Bihar and to take green mobility to the general public, the state government has taken a big step towards electric vehicle revolution. Now, by ending the dependence on petrol and diesel in the state, extensive charging infrastructure is being prepared to enable e-buses, commercial taxis and private electric cars to run on the roads. Often, before buying an electric car or bike, people used to have the fear of ‘range anxiety’ i.e. the fear of the battery running out on the way, but after the Transport Department has laid a network of fast DC charging stations across the state, this problem is going to end forever.
Bihar Transport Department in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has prepared a roadmap to set up a modern fast charging network. State-of-the-art DC fast chargers are being installed at these stations, which will be able to charge normal electric cars from 80 to 100 percent in just 45 to 60 minutes. Along with this, separate charging guns are also being arranged for two-wheeler (Electric Scooters) and three-wheeler (E-Rickshaw/Auto) vehicles. The most important thing is that the use of these charging points installed in government institutions or offices will not be reserved only for government vehicles, but common citizens will also be able to charge their personal EV car or bike easily.
In the capital Patna, charging points for electric vehicles are being installed at very strategic and prominent places so that connectivity is easy from any corner of the city.
The top 10 places in Patna where this work is going on at a fast pace include:
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Modern multi modal transport hub located at Kankarbagh.
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Beur Mod and surrounding major junctions.
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Irrigation Building and Vikas Bhawan Complex.
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Harding Road and the new administrative cluster.
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Transport Complex, Phulwarisharif and Bus Terminal Area.
People parking their vehicles in these premises to handle government work or going to the nearby market will be able to get their vehicles fully charged within just an hour.
Not only the capital, but all the major districts from North to South Bihar are being connected to this network. According to the Transport Department, the construction work of modern charging station in Purnia district has been completely completed, while the infrastructure work in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Gaya Ji and Darbhanga is in the final stage. Charging facilities are already functioning smoothly at the bus depots of Rajgir, Phulwarisharif and Muzaffarpur. For electric buses being run for public transport, simultaneous parking of 50 buses and 8-8 fast charging points are being installed in each depot, due to which even heavy e-buses can be fully charged in just 1 to 1.5 hours and can leave on the highway.
Under the Bihar Electric Vehicle (Amendment) Policy, the state government has also given attractive incentives to private sector businessmen, hotel operators and housing societies to connect to the charging network. If an individual or commercial complex installs a public charging station, he is being given a capital subsidy of up to 25% (up to a maximum of ₹ 10 lakh) on the purchase of machinery and equipment.
This subsidy is valid for setting up charging stations at the following locations:
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Dhabas, motels and petrol pumps located on National and State Highways.
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Shopping malls, multiplexes, multi-level parking and large hospital complexes.
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Residential apartments and housing societies, where more than 5 families reside.
Along with the expansion of the charging network, the Bihar government is also giving huge financial discounts to the buyers of electric vehicles in the state. Under the policy, a huge rebate of 50 to 75 percent is being given in the motor vehicle tax (Road Tax) on electric two-wheelers, four-wheelers and light goods vehicles purchased and registered in the state. Apart from this, commercial e-vehicles have been given complete relief from permit fees. This new network of charging stations across the state will not only clean the environment but will also provide an affordable, convenient and futuristic transportation option to the common citizens struggling with the rising cost of petrol and diesel.