As petrol and diesel prices continue to hover in unprecedented higher orbit for the last several months, availability of new age technology in the form of electric vehicles has come as a boon for many. This can be gauged from the fact that Orange City has witnessed steep rise in demand for e-vehicles this current fiscal.
Data obtained from regional transport offices revealed that sale of electric vehicles (EVs) in the city has increased by over 128 per cent till August this year compared to last year.
Total 3,088 electric vehicles were sold in the city in 2021-22 financial year, while 3,954 new registrations took place with both city and east RTOs in the first five months of 2022-23.
Automobile dealers like Umesh Patni attribute this to rise in fuel prices. Petrol prices had already crossed the Rs100-mark last year itself hence demand for electric vehicles in Nagpur further increased, Patni, who deals with two-wheeler EV segment, claimed.
Referring to registration of new vehicles in both city and east offices, deputy RTO Ravindra Bhuyar said the overall share of EVs was just 5.32 per cent in 2021-22, while it has increased to 14.19 per cent in the current fiscal.
The actual number of EVs in the city is certainly higher as e-vehicles having maximum speed limit of 25km are not required to be registered with RTO.
A close look at the data revealed that total 58,019 new vehicles were registered with both the RTOs last year, of which 3,088 were electric. This year, so far, 27,857 new vehicles have been registered, which include 3,954 EVs.
As many 168 new electric cars, out of total 6,302 four wheelers, were registered in the five months at both the RTOs. Similarly, of the 19,110 new two-wheelers, 2,522 were EVs.
Even the demand for electric autorickshaws has picked up significantly. Of the 1,339 new registrations of autorickshaws, 1,216 were electric-run vehicles.
Till August 31, 2022, the city had total 9,204 registered electric vehicles including four-wheelers, autorickshaws and two-wheelers, which was 0.48 per cent of total vehicular population (19,11,803).
Transport experts, however, said lack of EV charging facilities in the city is still keeping many people away from purchasing the vehicles. Majority of the owners TOI talked to said they have purchased EVs mostly for commuting in the city and adjoining areas.
“If the number of charging stations is increased, more number of people will certainly be going for EVs,” said Patni.
Rohit Kar termed his decision to go for electric car as a wise one. “Not only it reduced my monthly expenses on fuel, but also it gives me a comfortable riding experience,” he claimed.
Echoing Kar, Sudhir Pohane, who owns a two-wheeler, termed his decision to replace petrol-driven vehicle with EV as excellent. “The travel cost per km with petrol was about Rs6-Rs7, whereas it is just Re1 with EV,” he claimed. Also, the monthly electricity bill has increased marginally by Rs100-Rs150, he added.
