A minister from Goa has reportedly advised people to switch over to electric vehicles by availing the government subsidy rather than complaining about the rising petrol prices. However it is pertinent to note that those most affected by the rise in petrol will be the poor people and those belonging to the lower income groups. These also include the motor-cycle taxi pilots, which is unique to Goa, as well as the rickshaw and the taxi-drivers who could probably be burdened by the bank loans of the vehicles which they have to repay. The question that arises is that if the common man is advised to go for an electric vehicle, what do they do with their old vehicles which run on petrol? The government also needs to introduce a scheme wherein the vehicle owner gets a good exchange offer for the used car/ bike which runs on petrol. It is learnt that the battery pack of an electric vehicle accounts for about 40% to 50% of the cost of the vehicle. Besides offering a subsidy for an electric vehicle, the government should also provide a subsidy for the battery when the time comes to change it.
