SMEV encourages government to impose extra green tax on ICE 2W
To encourage the use of
electric vehicles
(EVs) and aid in the decrease of pollution-causing crude oil imports, the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) has urged the government to impose an additional green tax on two-wheelers with internal combustion engines. The industry group for electric vehicles stated in a statement that the Green tax would help explain the anticipated decline in sales of EVs due to a fall in subsidies starting this month.To pay for incentives for electric two-wheelers and restart the FAME programme, SMEV predicts that traditional, highly polluting ICE two-wheelers will need to pay 100 basis points more in taxes. It is time for the EV industry to be permitted to compete on an equal footing with ICE vehicles, according to SMEV Director General Sohinder Gill. The cost of ownership is the main barrier since India is a price-sensitive market, despite the fact that the sector is attempting to solve difficulties with awareness and adoption.
“Additional green taxes on ICE vehicles would not only level the playing field for EV and ICE but will also inspire larger OEMs to enter the EV industry with assurance and a long-term perspective, which will be advantageous for the nation” the speaker claimed. Since June 1, the Heavy Industries Ministry has eliminated subsidies for electric two-wheelers, causing businesses to raise costs.
The incentive threshold for electric two-wheelers has decreased from 40% to 15% of the ex-factory price of automobiles as of this month. The FAME India plan, which stands for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles, started on April 1, 2019, for a three-year term that was then extended for an additional two years until March 31, 2024.