Amid growing concerns over climate change in the ecologically sensitive region of Ladakh, the Union Territory administration has intensified its focus on electric mobility as a sustainable alternative to conventional fuel-based transport.
Chief Secretary of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Monday, chaired a meeting to review the implementation of the Ladakh Electric Vehicle and Allied Infrastructure Policy, 2022, with particular focus on the establishment of Electric Vehicle Public Charging Stations (EV-PCS) under the PM E-Drive initiative.
During the meeting, the concerned departments made a detailed presentation on various aspects of the EV policy, including its targets, key definitions, incentives, and exemptions from road taxes.
The discussion also covered the provision of end-user subsidies for electric vehicle buyers registered in the Union Territory, including private transport operators and individual purchasers, during the policy period. Special emphasis was laid on the Early Bird Incentive (EBI) Programme, aimed at encouraging the early adoption of electric vehicles in Ladakh.
Highlighting the strategic importance of electrifying public and commercial transport in Ladakh, the Chief Secretary stressed the need to focus on cars, cabs, and buses, and called for the study of successful charging models adopted in other states. He also directed the concerned departments to engage in dialogue with taxi unions to strengthen awareness and messaging around the EV policy and its long-term benefits.
The Chief Secretary examined the status of charging infrastructure and related facilities across the region. He directed the departments to assess the availability of EV charging stations, including the categorisation of electricity connections for chargers under domestic and commercial consumer IDs. He also reviewed the installation status of charging facilities at fuel stations and stressed the need to ensure compliance by oil marketing companies with the mandated provision of EV charging infrastructure.
He observed that Ladakh could gradually move towards a system where registered taxis are increasingly encouraged to shift to electric vehicles, replacing conventional models such as the Innova with EV alternatives. He also underscored the importance of exploring solar-powered charging infrastructure, considering Ladakh’s unique climatic and geographical advantages.
Applicability of the EV policy to school buses and airport buses was also discussed, along with the need to undertake proper assessment and planning for electric bus deployment under relevant schemes. The Chief Secretary called for a comprehensive and practical approach to implementation, keeping in view Ladakh’s terrain, climate, and transport requirements.