Battery operated vehicles to be registered in TN without permit fee

CHENNAI:

All Passenger Vehicles in Tamil Nadu which are battery-operated like E-auto-rickshaws, E-taxis and private EV buses or Passenger Vehicles that are driven on methanol or ethanol fuel, shall be issued permits by the Transport Department without a permit fee. 

Registration of electric vehicles plying as passenger transport, like E-auto-rickshaws, E-taxis and EV buses will now commence in Tamil Nadu. Earlier, permits were not being issued to battery operated passenger vehicles and passenger vehicles driven on methanol or ethanol fuel. This comes after electric vehicle industry apprised Industries Minister Dr TRB Rajaa, who requested the intervention of Chief Minister MK Stalin.

Battery operated transport vehicles driven on methanol or ethanol fuel (except Goods vehicle whose Gross Vehicle Weight is below 3000 kgs) shall be issued a permit by the Transport Department without a permit fee, according to a Government Order issued on June 28. This has plugged an important policy gap and will facilitate the expansion of EV fleets in Tamil Nadu.

Speaking on the development, Dr. Rajaa said, “This is an example of how receptive this government is to the needs of the industry. We are able to execute policy changes quickly due to the effective leadership of Chief Minister, who enables us to solve problems that are brought to us in a timely manner.”

This amendment will enable the government to implement its Electric Vehicle Policy 2023 by accelerating adoption of EVs in Tamil Nadu. “Based on feedback from the industry, we are also working on improving EV charging infra across Tamil Nadu. All these steps are sure to significantly drive up the demand for EV vehicles in the state,” Dr. Rajaa said