For the second phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India scheme (FAME India II), the Finance Ministry has approved a sizeable amount as provision. Union Minister Anant Geete has said that the biggest concern currently is charging facilities for an electric vehicle. Therefore, they are providing charging facilities free of cost in public places and government offices to encourage people to adopt electric mobility.
Geete said they have accorded priority to public transport, especially buses, taxis and three-wheelers, including auto-rickshaws in FAME. Similarly, they are also seriously thinking about government vehicles (switching to electric vehicle technology). The minister said about 300 charging stations have been established till now for electric vehicles. The Department of Heavy Industry had allocated 455 electric buses to selected cities and special category states through expression of interest recently.
Besides, the modalities of the scheme have been finalised by an inter-ministerial panel and it will soon be placed before the Union Cabinet for approval. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch on September 7 the second phase of the FAME India scheme, offering incentives for mass adoption of electric vehicles with an outlay of Rs 5,500 crore.
