The state government is expected to provide operational instructions for subsidy payment next week, according to officials familiar with the situation on Sunday. Residents of Delhi may be eligible for up to ₹15,000 in subsidy on e-cycles.
The government revealed a major strategy to encourage the usage of e-cycles in the Capital in the second week of April as part of its continuous efforts to develop the city's electric vehicle sector and combat pollution. Only those who live in Delhi would be eligible for the subsidies.
The government announced the incentive last month to encourage the use of e-bikes, but the operational procedures for distributing the funds to individuals who qualify have yet to be released. "The operational guidelines for payment of subsidies on e-cycle purchases will be announced next week," a source close to the case stated.
The first 10,000 electric cycle purchasers in Delhi will receive a 25% discount (up to ₹5,500), with the first 1,000 receiving an additional 2,000 discount. According to the official, the Delhi government would offer purchase incentives of up to ₹15,000 per vehicle to the first 5,000 buyers of e-cargo bikes to help the city's food delivery and e-commerce businesses.
Passenger and cargo e-cycles are the two most common types. Chargeable batteries power them, and battery-assisted pedalling is available. E-commerce executives may utilise cargo bikes to carry food and other things, while passenger cycles can be used for fitness and outings.
"The e-cycle/e-cargo-cycle as a vehicle segment has the potential to transform the entire two-wheeler electric vehicle ecosystem in the national capital because e-cycles are extremely affordable when compared to electric scooters; the achievable speed through the integrated motor is suitable for short distance trips," another government official said.
The starting price for passenger bikes is between ₹25,000 and ₹28,000, while cargo cycles cost between ₹42,000 and ₹48,000. Passenger e-bikes can go 25-39 kilometres on a single charge, whereas freight cycles may travel 40-45 kilometres. The e-cycles may be charged at home using charging kits similar to those used for cell phones.
E-cycles gained a lot of popularity in large cities during Covid times, according to a Delhi government official, as many people utilised them for recreation or even for regular transportation.
"Towards the Covid-19's lean curve, the industry devised cargo design." It is still in its early stages, but it has a lot of potential," the official added.
Only a small portion of the population currently uses e-cycles, according to Jasmine Shah, vice-chairperson of the Dialogue and Development Commission (DDC) and chairperson of the state government's Charging Infrastructure Working Group. However, the government wants to bring them into the mainstream, particularly for those involved with deliveries.
The government is also focusing on putting charging stations in place. Since December last year, Delhi has added about 500 charging spots to its arsenal, bringing the total to 825, which is among the highest in the country.
According to the 2011 census, bicycles and two-wheelers are the most common means of transportation to work, according to Amit Bhatt, managing director (India), International Council on Clean Transportation.
"Electrically assisted bicycles have the potential to become a long-term sustainable means of transportation since they make pedalling much simpler, boosting coverage and usage." E-bikes may transform the transportation profile in our cities with the correct policy and support," Bhatt added.
