Over two years after the Centre did away with the permit system for commercial electric vehicles (EVs) in its bid to push penetration of green vehicles, now the government is set to revert to issuing such permits at “zero” fee. This is being done after commercial EV owners flagged the issue of local state transport officials asking for permit documents and even harassing them for not having them despite the central government notification specified that permits are not required for these vehicles.
Sources said the issue was brought to the notice of road transport minister Nitin Gadkari and at a recent meeting with ministry officials, he directed the department to notify the new norm. “This will be a practical solution to ensure that commercial EV owners or drivers are not subjected to any harassment. They will get the document without any charge. This will work as an official proof and help avoid any confrontation,” said an official.
On October 18, 2018, the ministry had issued a notification exempting battery operated vehicles and the ones driven on methanol or ethanol from the requirement of permit for carrying passengers or goods.
Some transporters told TOI that the government needs to ensure that all states abide by the rule notified by the Centre. “The permit for EVs should be issued automatically as and when one registers a commercial vehicle. The government must ensure that none needs to apply for such permits,” said one of the EV bus operators.
