Roadmap for electric vehicles on the way

The Government is to prepare a strategic plan for wider use of electric vehicles in the hope of reducing poisonous emissions in the long run.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday following a proposal made by the Environment Minister. 

According to the Department of Motor Traffic, the number of motor vehicles registered by end-2020 exceeded eight million. 

The Government said a considerable portion of those vehicles were older than 10 years and that it was identified that lack of proper maintenance of such old vehicles had led to poisonous gas emissions. 

Research carried out by the University of Moratuwa, along with a few other institutions, has confirmed that 60% of the air pollution in Sri Lanka was caused by vehicular emissions. 

In tandem with the Government’s push for renewable energy, using it for vehicular operations has been recommended as well.