4.7 Lakh EVs Given Incentives Under Phase II Of FAME India Scheme: Govt

Around 4.7 lakhs electric vehicles have been supported till 15 July 2022 by way of demand Incentive under the Phase II of FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India), Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Krishan Pal Gurjar said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday (19 July).

The minister also informed that the Ministry of Heavy Industries has sanctioned 2,877 electric vehicle charging stations in 68 cities across 25 states and UTs under the second phase of the scheme.

Further, as many as 1,576 charging stations have also been sanctioned across nine expressways and 16 Highways under Phase II of FAME India Scheme.

Under Phase-I of FAME India Scheme, 479 charging stations have been installed as on 1 July 2022, the minister said.

The government had formulated the FAME India Scheme in 2015 to improve the infrastructure required for the large-scale use of electric vehicles.

Under Phase-II of FAME-India Scheme, Rs 1,000 crore has been allocated for the development of charging infrastructure.

The minister informed that the budget utilisation under phase-II of FAME India Scheme as on 30 June this year has been Rs 2,099 crore.

Further, the Heavy Industries Ministry has sanctioned 6,315 e-buses to 65 cities/STUs/CTUs/state government entities for intracity and intercity operations across 26 states and UT under the Scheme.

The minister said that the challenges faced in the widespread adoption of electric mobility have mainly been the high upfront cost of electric vehicle as compared to corresponding Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and customer anxiety about range of electric vehicles.