India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries is making significant strides in its mission to promote electric mobility through the implementation of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme Phase-II. Launched on 1st April 2019, this phase focuses on supporting the electrification of public and shared transportation, aiming to deploy 7,090 e-Buses, 5 lakhs e-3 Wheelers, 55,000 e-4 Wheeler Passenger Cars, and 10 lakhs e-2 Wheelers through demand incentives. Additionally, the scheme actively supports the creation of charging infrastructure across the country.
As of 21st July 2023, the FAME India Scheme Phase-II has achieved impressive results, with a total of 8,32,824 electric vehicles (EVs) registered and revalidated. The EV categories include 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers, and 4-wheelers, with a combined count of 175 registered models from 56 OEMs. Among them, 7,40,722 2-wheelers, 83,420 3-wheelers, and 8,982 4-wheelers have been embraced by the Indian population.
To bolster the EV charging infrastructure, the Ministry of Heavy Industries sanctioned 520 Charging Stations/Infrastructure during Phase-I of the FAME India Scheme. Moreover, under Phase II, an impressive number of 2,877 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations are slated for deployment in 68 cities across 25 States/UTs, along with 1,576 charging stations along major expressways and highways.
Recognizing the importance of public charging stations, the Ministry of Heavy Industries granted a capital subsidy of Rs. 800 Crores to three Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) for the establishment of 7,432 electric vehicle public charging stations.
In addition to the FAME India Scheme, the Indian government has taken several measures to encourage EV adoption, including the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the Automotive Sector, supporting domestic vehicle manufacturing. Electric vehicles also fall under the ambit of the PLI Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC), aimed at establishing a competitive ACC battery manufacturing setup in the country. Furthermore, reduced Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates on EVs and chargers, green license plates, and road tax exemptions are other initiatives to promote eco-friendly mobility.
The efforts to create awareness about EVs extend to various educational institutions, with initiatives like conferences, seminars, webinars, and exhibitions on e-mobility conducted by organizations such as the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) in collaboration with MHI.
The FAME India Scheme Phase-II and its complementing measures highlight India’s commitment to creating a sustainable and greener future for its automotive sector and environment. The nation’s push for electric mobility is not only shaping the transportation landscape but also contributing to global efforts in combating climate change and building a cleaner and more resilient future.
