Vijayawada: The AP Economic Development Board (APEDB), is gearing up to set up an ‘Electric Vehicles Task Force’ which will coordinate and develop synergies between the departments, industry and all other key stakeholders, respective to the specificity of the task force.

The state government is keen on positioning the state, as India’s most attractive destination for Electric Vehicles (EV) manufacturing and is establishing a long-term strategy for creating an ecosystem for the development of Electric Vehicles (EV) in the state.

S.P. Tucker, executive vice-chairman, APEDB, said, “Japan has come forwa-rd to collaborate with An-dhra Pradesh to build an EV city in the state. This eco-system will represent a new value chain with OEMs, suppliers, service providers, vehicle users, mobility providers, financial services and the government playing a key role.”

Andhra Pradesh has a thriving ecosystem for automobile and component manufacturing, with a presence of marquee players like Isuzu, Kia Motors, Hero Motors, Rockman industries, Ashok Leyland, Apollo Tyres and Amara Raja Batteries.

“The Government is also engaging with players acro-ss the value chain and is set to hold a consultative meet with various stakeholders to ensure that the state comes up with a robust policy,” Mr Tucker added.

The state plans to embark on road shows in Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan in order to forge partnerships in the EV segment and augment the EV ecosystem in AP.

Various investors have evinced interest in the manufacture of e-autos, buses and vehicles in the state. The Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB), would seamlessly facilitate their entry into Andhra Pradesh.

Mr Krishna Kishore, chief executive officer, APEDB, said, “The government aims to drive the EV revolution. The APEDB will enable them to facilitate this between various stakeholders and ensure that Andhra Pradesh rolls out a comprehensive policy.

“Accelerated impetus on EVs will kick-start the state’s journey towards adopting cleaner technology and provide solutions for tomorrow’s mobility.”

AP is also home to some of the biggest names in India in battery manufacturing like Amara Raja Batteries, HBL Power Systems and Nippo Batteries.

Although India is yet to become self-sufficient in manufacturing lithium batteries that are required to run EVs, the presence of large scale battery manufacturers in the state of Andhra Pradesh would be a great advantage, due to synergies and linkages in the value chain. The EV policy will be developed in line with the existing Automobile and Auto-component policy in the state.