CALANGUTE: Rent-a-cab operators in Calangute have said that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should convene a meeting with the representatives of various tourist taxi and rental vehicle associations before finalising the decision to only permit electric vehicles (EVs) from January next year.

Speaking to mediapersons at Calangute, North Goa Rent-a-Cab Association member Nitesh Chodankar said it’s not possible to start EVs so soon in the State.

“First of all, EVs cost much more than fuel vehicles. All the rental vehicle businesses are of small people, of middle-class people. Buying EVs will become very costly for them,” he said.

“Secondly, there are not enough charging stations. Tourists come to Goa for short stays, and it will take a lot of their time to recharge the vehicles. There are also the technical aspects: you need garages every few kilometres for EVs, for vehicles which have problems. This is not there,” Chodankar pointed out.

While stating that “the future is definitely EVs, but it will take time”, he said that “at present people are still struggling to pay the bank dues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the shutdowns.”

“We feel the CM should call a meeting of all associations – taxis, rent-a-bike, rent-a-cab and then decide,” Chodankar added.