The Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) has invited expressions of interest (EoI) for the authorization of manufacturers for marketing and distribution of 100 battery-operated school vans in Gujarat. The project falls under the GEDA Subsidy Program for 2019-20.

The tentative target for the marketing of battery-operated school vans in Gujarat is 100. The last date for the submission of the bids is October 22, 2019.

Interested bidders need to pay ₹150,000 (~$2,111) as earnest money deposit (EMD). The successful bidder will have to complete the work by March 31, 2020.

In terms of technical criteria, the bidder should have adequate infrastructure to manufacture these vans; should have dealers, service stations, or must be ready to provide after-sales services in Gujarat. The bidders should own manufacturing facilities to manufacture and supply the required quantity of battery-operated school vans with a stable financial background. According to the tender, the bidder should have at least one authorized dealer in each district of Gujarat.

The bidder should be manufacturing electric vehicles (both three wheelers and four wheelers) for the last three years with an average turnover of ₹30 million (~$1.4 million).

Moreover, the prospective bidders must hold certification from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) or any other authorized institution.

In July 2019, Mercom had reported that the Gujarat Energy Development Agency, invited expression of interest from reputed manufacturers for their authorization to market and distribute battery operated two and three-wheelers.

Under the GEDA Subsidy Program for the financial year (FY) 2019-20, school students from grade 9^th up to 12^th as well as college students will be eligible to purchase these vehicles at a subsidized rate.

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.

Image credit: The Lion Electric Co.