Digital Goa, July 17 – Department of New and Renewable Energy (DNRE) has been directed to formulate a comprehensive scheme providing up to 50% subsidy for the purchase of electric vehicles by licensed motorcycle pilots and auto-rickshaw operators to accelerate Goa’s transition to clean mobility, informed CM Pramod Sawant. The decision was taken during a meeting on Fuel Management and Sustainable Transport Strategy chaired by CM. Sawant said he has also directed the DNRE to prepare a policy for the phased replacement of diesel generator (DG) sets in industrial and commercial establishments with cleaner alternatives such as Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), solar photovoltaic systems with battery storage, gas-based systems where feasible and other sustainable technologies. Around 10-year-old Kadamba diesel buses will be retrofitted with CNG engines, CM added. The proposed policy will include an implementation roadmap, financial incentives, stakeholder consultations and regulatory measures to facilitate the transition. Sawant further announced that the DNRE will set up 70 new electric vehicle charging stations across Goa under the PM E-Drive Scheme.
