Thiruvananthapuram: The theme of this year's World Environment Day was 'Beat Air Pollution'. There is much talk about electric vehicles that are carbon-neutral.
Inquiries have increased significantly at the electric vehicle showrooms in the city.
Last week chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan outlined the importance of using electric vehicles in the state to reduce air pollution. He called for people's participation in the drive.
With the main objective of doing its bit for pollution control, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation launched electric buses last year. Its aim is to procure 6,000 electric buses for statewide operations. Other electric vehicles are also going to hit the roads soon.
E- rickshaw is a prestigious project of Kerala Automobiles.
"EV is a convincing solution to reduce nearly half of the air pollution. Necessary steps are to be taken for controlling carbon emission. So that pollution caused due to traffic can be controlled" says Ajit Haridas, chairman, State Pollution Control Board.
Union government is reportedly working on a draft notification proposing to ban on all IC engine powered three-wheelers from 2023 and two-wheelers from 2025.
EV dealers in the city say though the cost of electric scooter range from 40,000 to 80,000, sales are yet to pick up. One of the main reason is the lack of recharging stations.
To promote sales, government agencies will have to set up charging stations. People are not keen on having an electric bike as they find it difficult to charge on long routes.Many say manufacturers should come up with a machine which gives more mileage in less charge to attract the common man.
"I own an electric scooter. I'm very much comfortable in riding it as it is very smooth in handling. The only requirement is the battery replacement when it gets damaged," says Bhageerath, a resident
These are easy-to-handle. smooth rider, friendly vehicles. It does not require any registration or a license. On an average, six-hour charging returns 70 km. In the near future, fuel vehicles are going to vanish and EVs are here to stay.
