(NTI): The Union Cabinet has approved the ‘PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme,’ proposed by the Ministry of Heavy Industries to promote electric mobility across India. With an allocated budget of Rs 10,900 crore over two years, the scheme primarily focuses on promoting the use of electric ambulances and trucks.
Though there is no mention of electric cars in the scheme, it does provide significant subsidies and demand incentives amounting to Rs 3,679 crore for electric two-wheelers (E2W), three-wheelers (E3W), trucks, and other emerging electric vehicles (EVs). The initiative targets supporting the production of 24.79 lakh electric two-wheelers, 3.16 lakh electric three-wheelers, and 14,028 electric buses.
A notable allocation of Rs 500 crore has been made specifically for the deployment of electric ambulances. The standards for performance and safety of these ambulances will be developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and other relevant stakeholders.
The scheme also sets aside Rs 4,391 crore to procure 14,028 electric buses through state transport undertakings and public transport agencies. An additional Rs 500 crore has been earmarked to incentivize the adoption of electric trucks.
To address the challenges faced by the EV ecosystem, such as range anxiety and insufficient charging infrastructure, the PM E-DRIVE Scheme will fund the installation of 22,100 fast chargers for electric four-wheelers, 1,800 fast chargers for electric buses, and 48,400 fast chargers for electric two- and three-wheelers. A sum of Rs 2,000 crore has been allotted for this purpose.
