In an effort to make India a green economy, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari wants to cut GST on hybrid vehicles, and would like to completely do away with over 36 crore diesel and petrol vehicles, PTI reported.
On being asked whether it was possible for India to get rid of petrol and diesel cars altogether, the Union Minister for Road, Transport and Highways said, ‘100%,’ further adding that it is ‘difficult but not impossible. This is my vision.’
Gadkari expounded that India spends Rs 16 lakh crore on vehicles. He did not give any timeline to the target, which even proponents of green energy believe to be very difficult, PTI noted.
The proposal to reduce GST on hybrid vehicles to 5% and to 12% for flex engines, has been sent to the Finance Ministry, which is considering the requisition, Gadkari told PTI. He is of the firm opinion that the country can end fuel imports by promoting the use of biofuels. He said that auto companies such as Hero, TVS and Bajaj are planning on manufacturing motorcycles using flex engines, and auto rickshaws using similar technology too, were on the way.
“Tatas and Ashok Leyland have introduced trucks that run on hydrogen. There are trucks that run on LNG/CNG. There are 350 bio-CNG factories across the country,” he said.
“Definitely a revolution is taking place. The fuel imports will end and this country will become self-reliant – Atmanirbhar Bharat. I strongly believe in this,” Gadkari noted.