Scientist sees state's potential in e-vehicles
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 14 2022: Similar to countries across the world successfully undergoing technological transition from petrol and diesel to e-vehicles, in India too, many states are speedily transitioning on the same.

Amidst such evolving scenario, it is imperative for Manipur to try and be ahead in this transition process to e-vehicles.

Any hesitancy of forethought on the matter would not only allow other states to take the opportunity and related jobs, but also lead Manipur to losing crucial economic benefits, said CSIR-Dehradun principal scientist Robindro Lairenlakpam.

Robindro had played a key role in the recent conduct of a workshop on e-vehicle jointly organised by CSIR-Dehradun and the Transport Department of Manipur.

Speaking to The People's Chronicle in this regard, Robindro informed that the main objective of the workshop was to inform the masses about the importance of this technological transition and prevent other states from taking advantage by providing Manipur a head start.

He said that countries across the globe and the different states are in a race for transition from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles, which would benefit both the environment and economy.

As a scientist, he felt that it was his responsibility to inform the people of the state in this regard.

To check others from taking advantage, one must be aware of this matter in detail.

Thus, there is a need for the people of the state to come up with a business model which would protect both the environment and economy, for the upcoming changes would help generate resources that could be employment opportunities for the youth, he conveyed.

The principal scientist observed that as the youth of Manipur are fast learners and as such, they could come up with solutions to replace the diesel and petrol autos with sustainable means within the next 5 years.

E-vehicle usage requires certain key elements such as replacing the electricity imported for charging with stable and renewable energy, local manpower and ensuring that key components of the state are produced locally, which would mean generation of jobs in addition to improving the economy of the state.

Informing that the state government is targeting to replace majority of the vehicles in Manipur with e-vehicles by 2026, Robindro observed that the change brought by e-vehicle is yet to be seen considering the present population ratio of the people with that of number of vehicles.

Under the central government's FAME-I scheme, e-rickshaws have already arrived in Manipur and it has sanctioned Rs 10,000 crore for FAME-IL Efforts are being made to increase the charging stations under the National Electricity Mobility Mission Plan, which would help address concerns of vehicle owners when the battery gets exhausted.

Meanwhile, under Make in India, if 25 percent of the e-vehicle is manufactured indigenously, an incentive of 15 percent is provided.

The incentive will be much higher if around 50 percent of the vehicle is made indigenously.

Thus, the Workshop was organised to inform about the prospects of the state with regard to e-vehicles and the current level of e-vehicle battery technology, he said.

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