Ministry of Heavy Industries Launches PM E-DRIVE Scheme to Boost Electric Vehicle Adoption.
New Delhi:
The Ministry of Heavy Industries has officially launched the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme at Bharat Mandapam, aimed at accelerating electric vehicle (EV) adoption and establishing essential charging infrastructure across India. The scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet on September 11, 2024, has a financial outlay of Rs. 10,900 crore over two years.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries & Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, and Minister of State for Heavy Industries & Steel, Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, highlighted the scheme’s significance on the eve of Mahatma Gandhi’s 155th birth anniversary. Kumaraswamy emphasized the initiative’s alignment with the government’s goals of promoting a cleaner environment and sustainable transportation.
The PM E-DRIVE Scheme will transition from previous initiatives like the FAME Scheme and the Electric Vehicle Promotion Scheme (EMPS). It introduces e-vouchers for consumers, streamlining access to demand incentives and enhancing the purchasing experience for EV buyers. A live demonstration at the launch showcased the generation of these e-vouchers by dealers.
Key components of the scheme include:
Subsidies/Demand Incentives: Allocating Rs. 3,679 crore for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, ambulances, trucks, and emerging EVs.
E-Ambulances: Rs. 500 crore earmarked for deployment in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
E-Buses: Rs. 4,391 crore for procuring 14,028 electric buses in nine major cities.
Public Charging Stations: Rs. 2,000 crore dedicated to installing fast chargers across urban and highway locations.
Test Agency Modernization: Rs. 780 crore for upgrading testing facilities to accommodate new EV technologies.
The launch underscores the government’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, with the PM E-DRIVE Scheme playing a crucial role in fostering sustainable and inclusive mobility in India.
