Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh is likely to emerge as the first state to introduce eco-friendly electric vehicles. As part of the move, minister for IT Nara Lokesh took the initiative to sign an MoU with Toyota Kirloskar Motors. For the first time in the country, electrically run buses will be operated in Amaravati capital and Tirumala. Initially, the buses will run on a trial basis.

The MoU between the state government and Toyota Motors was signed in a special programme held at the CM Camp Office in Vijayawada on Thursday. Principal secretary of IT, K. Vijayanand, Electronics and IT agency, CEO Ch. Tirumala Rao and Toyota Kirloskar Motors MD Akito Tachibana were present and participated in the signing of the agreement. MoU is meant for the execution of research by Toyota in Andhra Pradesh on the feasibility of Eco Friendly Electrical Vehicles like “Prius PHEV” and “Small EV Commuter”. The company will work out the infrastructure requirements to be set up for the plying of these vehicles like charging stations, etc.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Lokesh said, “An action plan has been formulated to develop plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to prevent pollution. This will be done with the co-operation of Toyota Motors, which has an experience of two decades in producing electric cars. The company will distribute electric vehicles in December or January for a trial run in Amaravati capital region. The electrical buses will be introduced in Tirumala at first.” Mr Lokesh added that 20 minutes of charging would help to run the vehicle for 70 km.Toyota Kirloskar Motors’ managing director Akito Tachibana, said they would make efforts to supply efficient electrical vehicles to prevent pollution in the region.