In a significant push for electric mobility in Ladakh, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the implementation of the Ladakh Electric Vehicle and Allied Infrastructure Policy, 2022, with special emphasis on the rollout of Electric Vehicle Public Charging Stations (EV-PCS) under the PM E-Drive initiative.
Review of EV Policy Targets and Incentives
Officials from various departments presented detailed updates on the policy’s major components, including its long-term targets, key provisions, and financial benefits. The meeting also examined incentives such as road tax exemptions and end-user subsidies for EV buyers in the Union Territory. These subsidies apply to private transport operators as well as individual purchasers during the policy period, strengthening the push for electric mobility in Ladakh.
A major point of discussion was the Early Bird Incentive (EBI), designed to accelerate early adoption of electric vehicles across the region.
Strengthening Charging Infrastructure Across Ladakh
Kundra reviewed the progress of charging facilities and directed officials to assess the availability and categorization of electricity connections for EV chargers under domestic and commercial categories. He also stressed the need to install EV charging points at fuel stations and ensure full compliance by oil marketing companies.
Highlighting the importance of shifting public and commercial transport to electric, the chief secretary called for studying successful EV charging models from other states and engaging with taxi unions to build confidence in the policy’s long-term benefits.
Future Plans: EV Taxis, Solar Charging & Electric Buses
As part of the continued push for electric mobility in Ladakh, Kundra suggested gradually encouraging registered taxis—currently dominated by models like the Innova—to transition to electric alternatives. He underscored the importance of exploring solar-powered charging systems, considering Ladakh’s climate advantage.
The meeting also discussed applying the EV policy to school buses and airport buses, stressing the need for detailed planning for electric bus deployment. Kundra urged a practical, terrain-sensitive strategy to ensure Ladakh moves steadily toward a cleaner mobility future, reinforcing the overall push for electric mobility in the region.
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