Energy Minister KJ George Inaugurates EV Expo for Secretariat Employees,Promotes Electric Vehicle Adoption

Pramesh S Jain 

Bangalore:To promote electric vehicle adoption,Energy Minister KJ George officially inaugurated the Electric Vehicle Expo for Secretariat employees today at Vidhan Soudha premises in Bengal uru.

This initiative aims to raise awareness and encourage the use of electric vehicles among government staff.

“We are happy to inaugurate the EV Vehicle Expo for the Secretariat employees to promote the adoption and usage of Electric Vehicles.

The rising petrol prices and urban air pollution make electric vehicles (EVs) a key solution.Our state has been a pioneer in EV vehicle adoption and was the first to bring in an EV policy in 2017 in the whole country.

In 2017,our state had an annual registration of 11,000 electric vehicles.Currently,the registration stands at an estimated 1,50,000 electric vehicles,which is a clear testament to our EV policy,”Energy Minister,KJ George said.

“According to recent data released by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency,Karnataka has set a benchmark with its electric vehicle infrastructure, boasting the highest number of public electric vehicle charging stations—an impressive 5,713.

This highlights Bangalore’s pivotal role in Karnataka’s impressive achievement,”Energy Minister K J George added.

We organize numerous green and clean energy programs for the public,but this EV Expo specifically targets Secretariat employees to encourage the adoption of clean energy.

I believe this is a commendable initiative, as these employees can serve as role models for others, promoting the penetration of EVs in the community,” Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh said,expressing her support for the electric vehicle (EV) initiative during the EV Expo.

“Chief Secretary also highlighted that EV manufacturers and banks will likely offer attractive discounts and favourable interest rates when purchasing EVs for Secretariat staff.

“This will benefit our employees and contribute to a broader shift towards sustainable transportation,”she added.

“The Electric Vehicle Expo for Secretariat employees is designed to inform attendees about the advantages of eco-friendly electric vehicles (EVs) and promote the adoption of two—and four-wheeled EVs.

Additionally,participating EV companies will provide dealer discounts specifically for government employees, particularly those working in the Secretariat.

Attendees will also have the chance to experience practical demonstrations of the vehicles at the expo location,”Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta said.

“Our state has been a leader in electric vehicle policy, being the first in the country to implement a dedicated EV policy in 2017.

We have established a solid foundation to enhance EV adoption,which has resulted in the highest number of public charging stations for EVs in the nation,” added Gaurav Gupta.

Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM), the key agency overseeing EV charging infrastructure in Karnataka,has played a crucial role in the recent surge in electric vehicle adoption.

As the nodal body responsible for expanding and managing the state’s EV charging network,BESCOM’s efforts to enhance accessibility and infrastructure have driven electric vehicle uptake.

“A special electric vehicle (EV) Expo has been organized today and tomorrow for the Secretariat employees, following the directive of Energy Minister KJ George and Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh.

The rising petrol prices and urban air pollution make electric vehicles (EVs) a key solution.EVs are exempt from road tax and offer significant environmental benefits.

Secretariat employees will also benefit from no down payment and low-interest loans to purchase the EV vehicles.

16 EV companies have participated, and the sales will extend beyond the exhibition, continuing in the future,” BESCOM MD Mahantesh Bilagi said during the Expo.

“The Expo is scheduled for today and tomorrow (January 17-18, 2025) and is specifically aimed at Secretariat employees.

Currently, the Secretariat employs approximately 8,000 individuals, including 3,000 permanent staff, 1,500 on deputation, and another 3,000-3,500 on an outsource or contract basis.

This includes employees from Vidhan Soudha, Vikas Soudha, the Multi-storey Building, and Raj Bhavan, all of whom are part of the Secretariat Employees’ Association,”President of the Secretariat Employees’ Association, Ramesh Sanga, said at the Expo.

We have a penetration of around 5% of EV two-wheelers among secretariat employees. Hopefully, this EV Expo will help spread the awareness and adaptation of EV vehicles more broadly, including four-wheelers,Ramesh added.

In a significant boost to Karnataka’s electric vehicle ecosystem, the state government,under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah,in his February 2024 state budget,has proposed the establishment of nearly 2,500 new EV charging stations across the state through a public-private partnership model.

This forward-looking initiative reflects the government’s strong commitment to advancing electric mobility.

Additionally, the government plans to invest Rs 35 crore in setting up 100 charging centres in collaboration with power supply companies, further supporting the growth and accessibility of EV infrastructure in Karnataka.

Energy Minister,KJ George,Transport Minister and Muzrai Minister,Ramalinga Reddy,Chief Secretary,Dr.Shalini Rajneesh,Additional Chief Secretary,Gaurav Gupta, KPTCL Managing Director,Pankaj Kumar Pandey, BESCOM MD,Mahantesh Bilagi,BESCOM Director, Technical Ramesh HJ, BESCOM GM,HR Dayanand,other department officials,16 Electric Vehicle Manufacturers, and Secretariat employees attended the EV Expo.

The EV Vehicle Expo will feature a total of 18 stalls, including:

• 5 stalls for four-wheelers.

• 10 stalls for two-wheelers.

• 2 stalls each for vendors and bankers.

• 1 stall from BESCOM.

The event is expected to attract an estimated footfall of 5,000 attendees.