Chandigarh, Jan 24 (KNN) An electric vehicle expo is being organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) at sector 34 exhibition ground in Chandigarh from February 3 to 5, 2023.

PHDCCI through this expo aims to bring all the relevant stakeholders on a common platform for the development of future-ready and environmentally sustainable mobility products and technologies, besides giving a platform to the public to get more knowledge about the EV products and government policies.

Ahead of the electric vehicle expo, Pranav Gupta, chair, Haryana State Chapter of the PHDCCI, said, “Though the Centre and state governments have already made various policies on the sale and purchase of electric vehicles, the public lacks awareness about the benefits due to lack of advertisements.”

Gupta further pointed out that for the benefit of consumers, the government should promote local manufacturing of electric batteries, which are presently imported from other countries, for cutting the vehicle cost whereas for manufactures, the government must keep its focus on providing production linked incentives (PLI).

Suvrat Khanna, co-chair, Chandigarh Chapter of the PHDCCI, said, “Though the state governments provide subsidies on purchase of electric vehicles, its prices are not pocket-friendly for the public. An electric two-wheeler costs over two times as compared to the petrol-run two-wheeler due to which the sale gets hampered and the benefits of using the electric vehicles do not reach out to the public.”

“However, the overall cost of the vehicle can only be cut if the governments support local manufacturing of electric vehicles, its batteries and spare parts,” Khanna said.

The setting up of local industries will not only be a push for young entrepreneurs to set up industries but it will also create job opportunities for the locals. At present, even the big manufacturing firms are not showing interest in investing in electric vehicles due to less incentives to them and higher cost of manufacturing but cost cutting will help in promoting green mobility,” said Karan Gilhotra, co-chair, Punjab State Chapter of PHDCCI.  (KNN Bureau)