Do Electric Vehicle Require PUC Certificate?

An electric vehicle is fuelled by electrical energy stored in its battery packs that power its engine electric car. These electric vehicles have a different fuel mechanism compared to traditional cars which would use either petrol or diesel combustible engines. Electric vehicles are considered futuristic due to their independence from non-renewable sources of energy. The main components of an electric vehicle include an electric motor, a battery pack, an inverter and a control module. Most electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries which offer a high power-to-weight ratio and high energy efficiency. The key features of electric vehicles are that they offer energy security and their operational charges are cheaper than conventional vehicles.  Apart from that electric vehicles also produce zero tailpipe emissions. 

If you own a vehicle, it is legally mandatory for you to have a Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. The PUC is a certification provided to vehicles that successfully undergo the PUC test. PUC for an electric vehicle of car is mandatory in India under the Motor Vehicles Act.

 

PUC Law

 

The PUC certification of a vehicle is mandatory as per Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. Every motor vehicle, including those conforming to BS-I, BS-II, BS-III and BS-IV as well as vehicles plying on CNG and LPG, is required to carry a valid PUC certificate after one year from the date of its first registration. If you are driving a vehicle and not carrying a valid PUC Certificate, you will be liable to be prosecuted and fined under Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act. Also, if you have a PUC certificate and still your vehicle is visibly found causing pollution, you will be directed under Rule 116 of the Motor Vehicle Act to produce a fresh certificate within seven days. 

 

Importance of PUC certificate

 

The PUC certification confirms the status of a vehicle's emissions, and whether they are within the standard pollution norms. A PUC certificate is provided for a new car which is valid for one year. After one year, you will have to take your car for a PUC test at regular intervals following which a new certificate will be issued each time. It is an important document which you should be carrying all the time that you drive. PUC certification is also an important measure aimed to limit the growing pollution.

There is generally no need for PUC for electric vehicles, however, one can get electric vehicles PUC  as -

• It ensures that the manufacturer has duly followed the norms of pollution.

• The certificate specifically mentions PUC electric vehicles are powered by electrical energy that is stored in their batteries which is an eco-friendly approach. Conventional vehicles with combustible engines burn a large amount of petrol or diesel or gas to power the vehicles to drive. 

Electric vehicles are operated by electrical energy which powers their engines and makes these vehicles drive. Since electrical energy is a clean source of energy which does not cause pollution, there is no need for a PUC for electric vehicles. This is an exemption from norms as they exist for conventional vehicles, which use petrol or diesel as fuel to power their engines and need a PUC certificate to ensure that these vehicles do not violate the acceptable pollution norms.