PANAJI
An electric bike owner had to suffer for eight months after a vendor issued a white High-Security Number Plate (HSRP) instead of a green one.
Now, after the bike owner raised the issue in the media, the vendor has conveyed to the owner that the bile will be issued a green colour number plate.
Rajesh Camotim Daconcar had purchased a second-hand scooter from Pune. He registered the vehicle with Goa RTO. However, the authorised vendor issued a white number plate instead of a green one despite knowing that the two-wheeler is an electric vehicle.
For the last eight months, Daconcar had to run from pillar to post after the HSRP issuing authority informed him that for technical reasons, once the white number plate is issued, no new number plate can be issued.
Daconcar had to keep his vehicle off the roads for eight months due to the fault of the HSRP vendor. The vendor also informed Daconcar that there is no solution to the issue.
Later, Daconcar approached the RTO Department, wherein the officials at the Mapusa office tried to intervene in the issue, however, the problem was not resolved.
However, after the bike owner raised the issue in the media, the HSRP vendor has shown willingness to change the number plate to the legit green one.
It may be noted that any battery-operated vehicle with power less than 250W and a speed limit of not more than 25 kmph is exempted from RTO registration, and these electric scooters do not require a licence in the country. However, other electric high-power and speed vehicles need an RTO registration in the State.
