E-mobility in Visakhapatnam, Tirupati gets BEE push

The Union power ministry-led Bureau of Energy Efficiency has given its consent to the Andhra Pradesh energy department to retrofit existing engines of 200 auto rickshaws in Tirupati and 100 in Visakhapatnam with electric kits and swappable batteries.

As a pilot project, three internal combustion engine autos were converted to electric in Tirupati and have been given to local auto drivers for testing performance. These auto drivers could save 5,000 per month when compared to diesel and petrol autos. According to these drivers, there is low maintenance and zero pollution.

Electric mobility is a major alternative to IC engines. Apart from the lower operating cost, e-mobility helps reduce emissions and import dependency of fossil fuels.

Meanwhile, the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP) has identified 4,000 locations for setting up charging stations in Andhra Pradesh. As many as 10 developers have registered for the establishment of these charging stations.

NREDCAP has also formulated a scheme to provide electric bikes to government employees on a monthly installment basis. It has entered into an agreement with two banks to provide loans to government employees under this scheme. The scheme was initially launched in Krishna, NTR, Eluru, Bhimavaram and Rajahmundry districts.

Electric two-wheelers will be provided on a monthly lease inclusive of a comprehensive insurance that will be deducted as EMI from the volunteering government employee's account.

The electric two-wheeler will carry a standard warranty of three years against any manufacturing defect. Batteries too will carry warranty till three years or 60,000 kilometres, whichever is earlier.

Power utilities in the state took up the 'Go Electric' campaign in June 2021 to spread awareness on the benefits of e-mobility and electric vehicles charging infrastructure.

State energy secretary B Sreedhar said the 'Go Electric' campaign will address both challenges - high dependence on crude oil imports and air pollution - being posed by the existing fleet of vehicles.