KCR pitches for electric vehicles; plans to make Hyderabad a pollution-free city

Putting the focus on the need to encourage the use of electric vehicles in Hyderabad to make it a pollution-free city, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Wednesday announced the electric vehicles will be introduced in a phased manner in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and TSRTC.

In a meeting with representatives of BYD (Build Your Dreams) Auto Industries Company Limited, China, which produces 100 percent electric vehicles at Pragathi Bhavan, KCR was informed regarding the establishment of the factory and production unit in Hyderabad to manufacture electric vehicles which run on battery. 

Assuring all help from the government required by the company, the Chief Minister said that the only way to control and reduce such pollution was through the use of electric vehicles.

He added the state government will place an order for the purchase of 500 vehicles in the first phase. KCR appreciated the personal ride he took in an electric bus designed and developed by BYD where he complimented the representatives for the quality and standards of the bus as well as contributing to a pollution-free atmosphere.

The BYD representative told the Chief Minister that the electric vehicle will be ready for a 300-400 km drive, once charged and the battery can be charged fully in three hours.