Be prepared to travel on the electric highway: Nitin Gadkari

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• The government is working on solar-powered electric highways
  
• Truck-buses with high cargo capacity will have ease of charging
  
• A total of 10,60,707 electric vehicles registered in the country by March 19, 2022
  

Recently, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha during the monsoon session of Parliament, Nitin Gadkari said that a total of 10,60,707 electric vehicles (EVs) have been registered in the country till March 19, 2022. Whereas, according to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, there are 1,742 charging stations in the country as of March 21, 2022. Preparations are underway to build electric highways in the country, which will be charged with solar energy. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the government’s plan during an event on Monday. He reiterated that the government is emphasizing on making the public transport system of the country electric.

Gadkari said at the IACC event

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said this while addressing a program of industry association Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC). He said that the government is working on the development of solar powered electric highways. This step will facilitate charging of high capacity trucks and buses. An electric highway is actually a road that is capable of delivering electricity to the vehicles that drive on it. It also includes energy supply from overhead power lines.

26 new expressways are being constructed in the country

During his address, the Union Minister further said that this step is being taken to promote the development of solar and wind energy based charging systems for electric vehicles. He said that well-developed infrastructure helps boost financial activities. It creates new companies and increases employment opportunities. Gadkari also said that 26 new expressways are being constructed in the country.

The toll plaza will run on solar energy

Gadkari also said that the road ministry is also encouraging toll plazas to run on solar energy. Recently, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha during the monsoon session of Parliament, Nitin Gadkari said that a total of 10,60,707 electric vehicles have been registered in the country by March 19, 2022. Whereas, according to Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) data, 1,742 public electric vehicle charging stations have started functioning in the country till March 21, 2022.

Investors are invited

The Union Transport Minister further said that with the launch of PM Gati Shakti Master Plan, projects will get speedy approval and it will reduce logistic costs. He invited US private investors to invest in India’s logistics, ropeway and cable car sectors.