Mumbai: A recent State government policy paper has warned of potential hazard resulting from the disposal of a large number of lithium ion batteries, in the backdrop of a new proposal from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) offering incentives to promote local manufacturing of batteries and parts of electric vehicles.
Prepared by the Maharashtra government as part of the Maharashtra Urban Mobility Policy (MUMP), the paper warns of a ‘monster’ unleashed from the disposal of dead batteries if a comprehensive plan for collecting and disposing of the batteries is not in place.
“While the State has drafted a very progressive MUMP, the electrification of vehicles may actually unleash a monster of dead batteries in Maharashtra,” the paper, which will soon be released by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, says.
Meanwhile, the PMO has announced a ₹5,500-crore incentive plan to promote electric cars, and local manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, which will be the driving force behind electric vehicles (EVs). Sensing potential in India’s push towards EVs, several leading business houses have already moved to set up plants for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries and acquire lithium mines outside India. Local battery manufacturing is being seen as an important aspect of the efforts of the government to reduce the cost of EVs.
“While the goal of Maharashtra’s MUMP is to reduce congestion levels as well as the carbon footprint, the fundamentals of sustainable EVs could only be ingrained in the new ecosystem if a way is designed to collect and dispose of the lithium ion batteries,” said a senior official. “We are keen on keeping that aspect in mind.”
The MUMP aims to introduce 65,000 electric buses and about 10,000 km of a non-motorised transportation network by 2030. It aims to reduce per-capita transport emission by 33%. Additionally, the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy released in February this year makes special provisions to support construction of EV stations, including subsidised electricity rates for the manufacturers, and 25% capital subsidy for the first 250 stations, officials said. The policy envisages a complete switch of the State transport system by 2030. It estimates an approximate investment of ₹25,000 crore and creation of 5 lakh jobs.
The Union Power Ministry has already declared charging the batteries of electric vehicles as a “service”to allow stations to operate without a licence. Since the stations will not perform an activity related to transmission, distribution or trading of electricity, a licence is not needed under the Electricity Act 2003, the ministry had said.
