Kochi: In an initiative aimed at promoting non-polluting modes of transport, the Kudumbashree Mission will help its members avail electric autos.
"Under the scheme, beneficiaries should have operated autorickshaws for hire service at least for six months. We'll arrange subsidy bank loans to the tune of Rs 2.5 lakh at a low interest rate. We've held primary talks with a public sector bank for the same," said N.S. Niranjana, programme officer (micro enterprises).
However, the scheme will be rolled out only after infrastructure facilities like charging stations are set up and multiple manufactures of e-autos enter the fray.
The state government is putting together its plans for providing charging facilities, mainly in Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram. It has already directed KEL (Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company) to set up such charging docks.
"We want to give added assurance to auto drivers who are looking at shifting to electric autorickshaws. Hence we'll wait for sometime before rolling out the scheme," the official said.
