The government expects India to adopt electric vehicles (EV) in “all natural course” – be it for bikes, cars, trucks, buses and e-rickshaws. The transition was necessary in order to reduce carbon emissions as per the Paris Agreement.
The government has made its intention clear to promote electric mobility through commercial fleet owners and incentives will be only offered to them for now.
Under the Rs 10,000-crore FAME scheme, subsidy on EVs are given to three- and four-wheelers for commercial and fleet applications. However, in two-wheelers it is also extended for personal usage.
Proposals have also been invited from cities that intend to develop charging infrastructure in million-plus cities as per 2011 census.
Initially, 1,000 EV charging stations are earmarked for development through the EOI (expressions of interest).
The plan is also to connect all these charging stations with grid-connected solar power plant of required capacity as per new renewable energy guidelines so as to ensure grid stability and green energy for EVs.
Though various industry players have been asking the government to also provide support to EVs for personal usage four-wheelers in order to make them affordable and popularize the Eco-friendly technology.
However this is yet to see the light of day.
Reference- Economic Times, EV policy, FAME II website