Industry divided over sale, registration of EVs without pre-fitted batteries

The Govt’s move to allow sale and registration of electric vehicles without pre-fitted batteries evoked mixed reaction from the EV industry on Thursday, with majority of two-wheeler makers welcoming it while Mahindra Electric said no country in the world allows such a system and the step has not been thought through.

Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles , which has electric two- and three-wheeler makers as majority of its members, said the move to delink batteries from the EVs is a good idea but other steps like reducing GST on batteries from 18 per cent to 5 per cent need to be taken to make these vehicles more attractive for customers.

Ather Energy, Hero Electric, Okinawa and Ampere Electric were unanimous that the government’s move will lower the upfront cost that a consumer has to pay and thereby help in popularing EVs.