Electric car re-charging centres to be set up countrywide
View(s):With the anticipation of an influx in electric vehicle imports due to recent tax reduction given in the interim budget, the Ministry of Power and Energy is to set up electric vehicle-re-chagrining centres countrywide, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka revealed.
These re-charging centres are to be established at fuel filing stations, supermarkets, and other places located near main roads, he told Business Times adding that the ministry will seek private sector assistance to set up these centres throughout the island
The Ministry is also planning to introduce a new electricity tariff rate for re-charging during off peak hours probably from 10 pm to 4 am daily, he added.
The new government has brought down taxes on electric cars to 5 per cent from 25 per cent with the aim of protecting environment from air pollution, reduce transport and fuel costs, he said.
This tax reduction was made in the 2015 January interim budget to popularise zero emission vehicles.
According to Motor Traffic Department statistics, 15 electric cars mostly Nissan Leaf, were registered in January 2015 up from four units in the same month of 2014, and up from 10 units in December.
The price of a Nissan Leaf electric vehicle has dropped by around Rs. 570,000 as a result of the tax reduction.
The January 29 budget reduction on electric vehicles should lead to a “significant growth” in this category in the months ahead, S.H. Harischandra, Commissioner General of Motor Traffic opined.
“The Government is also planning to introduce electric trains and import or produce environment-friendly electric vehicles at low cost with zero emission,” Minister Ranawake said.