FAME-II and PM E-DRIVE: Powering India's Electric Vehicle Future

The Indian government has significantly increased its efforts to expand Electric Vehicle Public Charging Stations (EVPCS) through considerable funding allocations. Under the FAME-II scheme, Rs 839 crore was earmarked for charging infrastructure, with an additional Rs 2,000 crore under the PM E-DRIVE scheme aimed at establishing EV charging stations across the country, including in both urban and rural areas.

In September 2024, the Ministry of Power released the "Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure-2024," which highlights the importance of public-private partnerships to speed up EV adoption. Additionally, the process for setting up EV charging stations has been simplified by designating it as a de-licensed activity, making it easier for businesses and investors to enter the market.

The government is also supporting research and development (R&D) in electric mobility by offering various incentives. Engineering R&D and product design & development expenses are eligible for investment under the PLI ACC scheme.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) offers up to 80 percent funding for R&D projects, including those related to EVs, under its Capital Goods scheme. Leading academic institutes such as IITs and IISc are involved in these projects, with the remaining 20 percent of funding provided by industry partners.

This information was shared by the Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.