Give Priority to Public Transportation During e-vehicle Shift: ASCEND 2020

KOCHI:
Experts at the global investors meet ASCEND 2020 Kerala have suggested that the public transportation system should be given priority while introducing the e-vehicles in the State.

They were speaking at a panel discussion on “Projects on Mobility Development and Electric Vehicles” at the two-day meet that kicked off here on Thursday. “The future of transportation lies in e-vehicles and hydrogen vehicles. We hope that the introduction of e-vehicles in the public transport system can be done in collaboration with private sector players,” said KR Jyothilal, Principal Secretary, Transport, Government of Kerala.

“In the three-wheeler sector, e-vehicles have great demand in Kerala. But that kind of excitement is not visible in the two-wheeler sector. Since e-vehicles have immense possibility in public transport system, we will try to tie-up with private sector in franchisee model,” he opined.

V Ajith Kumar, Managing Director, Kerala Rail Development Corporation Ltd., said the proposed Semi High-Speed Rail corridor project, Silver Line, connecting Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod is going to be a model as it is run using clean energy. He also added that the project has an investment possibility for Rs 15,000 crore.

Datta. B.C, Vice President-Corporate Affairs, Hyundai Motor India Ltd., said since Kerala is gearing up for shifting to e-vehicle mode, the State has to set up battery manufacturing unit. “The major 30 per cent expenditure of e-vehicles comes from its battery. Apart from the subsidy given by the Central government, the State also has to provide more sops in the sector,” he added.

Meanwhile, Naveen Philip, CEO, Popular Mega Motors (India) Pvt. Ltd., said parallel to the shifting to the e-vehicle system, better infrastructure facilities also have to be developed. Elias George, Partner and Head of Infrastructure, Government and Healthcare, KPMG, India, was the moderator.