Priority for electric vehicle imports: Environment Minister

9 October 2021 12:00 am Views - 146

• To help reduce air pollution  
• The private sector has about 400 charging centres in various locations and there is a need to increase that number by another 350

The government has taken a decision to give priority to import electric vehicles to reduce air pollution. Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said at the State Ministerial Subcommittee of the Presidential Task Force on Green Economy which provides solutions to climate change.

The Minister said that the Cabinet Memorandum had been approved on the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the cabinet.

He also said that since the maximum distance that an electric vehicle can travel after a full electric charge is around 300-350 km, there is a focus on importing cars that can currently drive around 550 km in the world and increasing the number of charging points.

At present, the private sector has about 400 charging centres in various locations and there is a need to increase that number by another 350, the Minister said.

Also, the Ministry of Environment is currently working with the University of Moratuwa to formulate an E-Mobility Framework. 

Further discussions in this regard will be held with the relevant Ministerial Sub-Committee 
this month.