VIJAYAWADA: In its attempt to cut down on fuel consumption, the Union government will introduce electric cars in major cities across the country. Andhra Pradesh will alone get 300 of these environment-friendly cars, which are going to be distributed to Krishna, Guntur, Chittoor and Visakhapatnam districts.
The electric cars are going to be used by authorities for official purposes. Over the years, pollution from vehicles are reaching alarming levels affecting public health. Leading car manufacturers, Tata and Mahindra, have designed these cars at an estimated cost of `10 lakh. Energy Efficiency Service Limited (EESL), an energy service company, is entrusted the task of distributing the products to cities in a phased manner.
Recently, the State government appointed non-conventional energy development corporation of Andhra Pradesh as the nodal agency. ‘’In all, 300 electric cars are sanctioned to the state. While 23 cars are allotted to Vijayawada Municipal Corporation, Capital Region Development Authority will get 25’’, the body’s district manager for Krishna district, K Srinivasa Rao, said.
At present, officials in various government departments, with vehicle provision, are utilising SUVs for duty. A majority of these vehicles are being operated with a rental agreement, which are very expensive, and emit harmful gases into the environment.It may take at least two months to introduce the electric car facility in the state, he added.