Bhubaneswar: In a move aimed at promoting environment-friendly transportation, the Odisha government has decided to exempt battery-operated electric vehicles as well as methanol- and ethanol-powered transport vehicles from permit fees.
According to a notification issued by the Commerce and Transport Department, eligible vehicles operating in the state will be issued the required permits by the transport authorities without payment of any permit fee.
However, goods transport vehicles having a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of less than 3,000 kg will not be covered under the fee exemption.
The department clarified that the exemption from permit fees does not dispense with the mandatory requirement of obtaining a permit under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Vehicle owners will still have to secure the necessary permits from the competent transport authorities.
All other statutory requirements will continue to remain applicable, including valid vehicle registration, insurance, fitness certification, pollution under control (PUC) certification and payment of applicable government taxes and other charges.
The government expects the measure to encourage wider adoption of cleaner-fuel and electric vehicles in Odisha and contribute to reducing vehicular pollution in the state.
