AP, Kia make green pledge with e-cars

Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday inaugurated electric charging station set up at Secretariat for e-cars donated by Kia Motors to the state government.

Kia Motors donated three variants of e-cars. The Chief Minister drove around the Secretariat premises along with Kia Motors managing director Kookhyun Shim. The AP government signed a future mobility partnership MoU with Kia Motors to introduce environment-friendly electric cars in all regions of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that environment-friendly transport system should be introduced in the state. The state government has been providing power supply at low cost and the solar energy cost also came down to Rs 4 per unit.

He said 7,500 garbage collection electric tricycles will be introduced in the state by January. Introduction of electric vehicles will help in preventing pollution, he said. Referring to Kia Motors, the Chief Minister said that the car maker established a record in production of vehicles in Andhra Pradesh and is likely to roll out its first car in January. 

Kia should act as an ambassador for Andhra Pradesh to attract more investments from South Korea. With the prevailing industry-friendly atmosphere in AP, the Chief Minister said that more number of companies are coming forward to set up their units in Andhra Pradesh.

Kia set up a unit in Anantapur district, Isuzu and Hero Motocorp in Sri city, Apollo Tyres, Ashok Leyland, Amara Raja batteries and other industries set up their centres with a capital of Rs 4,700 crore providing employment to 6,600 people. AP would be developed as automobile hub. AP bagged the first rank in providing employability skills, he said.

Kia Motors MD Kookhyun Shim said that Nero Hybrid, Nero plug-in and Nero electric cars were a gift to AP government. He handed over the keys to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. He said Kia cars would be produced in 15 variants. Three lakh cars would be produced from Anantapur plant providing employment to 11, 000 people.

Kia Motors officials gave a presentation on the performance of Kia e-cars. Kia EV variant car will travel upto 455 km with single charging. Minister for Industries N Amaranatha Reddy, Bandar MP Konakalla Narayana Rao, APIIC chairman P Krishnaiah, vice-chairman and MD Babu A and others were present.