Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced significant reforms to promote electric vehicles (EVs) in the state. Starting from January 2024, all new tourist vehicles, cabs, and motorbikes provided on rent in Goa must be electric vehicles. Additionally, the government will only purchase new vehicles as EVs from January 2024 onwards.
The plan also includes retrofitting 30% of the fleet to electric vehicles for permit holders with multiple tourist taxis, rent-a-bike, and rent-a-cab services by June 2024. Goa currently ranks fourth in India for the percentage of electric vehicles purchased in any state.
As a major global tourism destination, Goa faces increased carbon emissions from a large number of taxis, rental vehicles, and buses used to transport tourists. A recent study revealed that 40% of the total carbon emissions in Goa are due to vehicle operations.
In support of EV adoption, the Goa government has provided financial assistance for 1,679 electric vehicles under a scheme, leading to a significant increase in the percentage of EV sales in the state.
With these initiatives, Goa aims to curb carbon emissions and pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future with electric mobility.
Retrofitting with approved components and at authorised centers well equipped is definitely a better choice. But rules regulations and approval processes have to be simplified