The Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) has invited expression of interest (EoI) from reputed manufacturers for their authorization to market and distribute battery operated two and three-wheelers.

The EoIs have been invited under the GEDA Subsidy Program for the financial year (FY) 2019-20. The last date to submit the EoIs is August 6, 2019. This initiative is a continuation of GEDA’s yearly exercise focused on expanding the adoption of EVs in the state.

An interested manufacturer must submit ₹100,000 (~$1,450) as the earnest money deposit and must also provide the cost of the battery-operated vehicles inclusive of GST and other taxes. The state agency will provide a subsidy of ₹10,000 (~$145) to the students who buy these vehicles.

Under this program, school students from standard 9^th up to standard 12^th and college students in the state of Gujarat will be eligible to purchase these vehicles at a subsidized rate. The state has fixed a tentative target of 1,000 such two-wheelers. If selected, the manufacturer will have to deposit ₹100,000 (~$1,450) or 5% of the project cost (whichever is more) as the security deposit.

The selected manufacturer must provide a comprehensive warranty, against any manufacturing defect, for a minimum period of three years (including advance battery set from the date of sale of the vehicles). The security deposit will be retained as the performance guarantee by GEDA after March 31, 2020, and up to March 31, 2023. The selected manufacturer must achieve at least 50% of the target by October 31, 2019, and 100% before March 31, 2020. The targets allocated will be reviewed from time to time.

The state has also invited EoI for the authorization of manufacturers for marketing and distribution of battery-operated three-wheelers (E-Rickshaws).

For this, an interested manufacturer must submit ₹150,000 (~$2,175) as the earnest money deposit. They must also provide the cost of the vehicles inclusive of GST and other taxes. The state agency will provide a subsidy of ₹40,000 (~$580) to the citizens who buy these vehicles. GEDA has fixed a tentative target of 800 such three-wheelers for FY 2019-20. If selected, the manufacturer will have to deposit ₹150,000 (~$2175) or 5% of the project cost (whichever is more) as a security deposit.

For these, the manufacturer will provide a warranty against any manufacturing defect for a minimum period of one year from the date of sale and two years of warranty for advanced batteries.

Mercom had previously reported that up to February 2018, 2,000 people were provided subsidies for the purchase of two-wheeler EVs in Gujarat. Each beneficiary was provided a subsidy of ₹10,000 (~$144.94) for purchasing an EV two-wheeler.

In October 2018 as well, GEDA had invited EoI for the authorization of manufacturers for marketing and distribution of battery-operated three-wheelers (E-Rickshaws) under the state’s battery-operated three-wheeler program. Back then, subsidies worth ₹30,000 (~$409) for vehicles with lead-acid batteries and ₹40,000 (~$545) for vehicles with lithium-ion batteries were to be provided to interested manufacturers for the year 2018-19.