Cabinet approves PM E-DRIVE Scheme with an outlay of INR 10,900 crores • EVreporter

The Union Cabinet, has approved the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) ‘s proposal to implement a scheme titled ‘PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme‘ to promote electric mobility in the country. The scheme has an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over two years.

The major components of the scheme are as follows:

– Subsidies/Demand incentives worth INR 3,679 crore have been provided to incentivize e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-ambulances, e-trucks and other emerging EVs. The scheme will support 24.79 lakh e-2Ws, 3.16 lakh e-3Ws, and 14,028 e-buses.

– MHI is introducing e-vouchers for EV buyers to avail of demand incentives. At the time of purchase of the EV, the scheme portal will generate an Aadhaar-authenticated e-Voucher for the buyer. A link to download the e-Voucher will be sent to the buyer’s registered mobile number. This e-voucher will be signed by the buyer and submitted to the dealer to avail of demand incentives under the scheme. Thereafter, the e-voucher will also be signed by the dealer and uploaded on the PM E-DRIVE portal. The signed e-voucher will be sent to the buyer and dealer through SMS. The signed e-voucher will be essential for OEM to claim reimbursement of demand incentives under the scheme.

– The scheme allocates Rs.500 crore for the deployment of e-ambulances. The performance and safety standards of e-ambulances will be formulated in consultation with MoHFW, MoRTH and other relevant stakeholders.

– INR 4,391 crore has been provided for procuring 14,028 e-buses by STUs/public transport agencies. CESL will aggregate demand in the nine cities with more than 40 lakh population: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Surat, Bangalore, Pune, and Hyderabad. In consultation with states, intercity and Interstate e-buses will also be supported.

While allocating buses to cities/states, first preference shall be given to those number of buses being procured after scrapping old STU buses through authorised scrapping centres (RVSFs) following the MoRTH Vehicle Scrapping Scheme guidelines.

– INR 500 crore has been allocated for incentivising e-trucks. Incentives will be given to those who have a scrapping certificate from MoRTH-approved vehicle scrapping centres (RVSF).

– Electric vehicle public charging stations (EVPCS) shall be installed in the selected cities with high EV penetration and also on selected highways. The scheme proposes the installation of 22,100 fast chargers for e-4 Ws, 1800 fast chargers for e-buses and 48,400 fast chargers for e-2W/3Ws. The outlay for EV PCS will be Rs.2,000 crore.

MHI’s test agencies will be modernized to deal with new and emerging technologies to promote green mobility. An outlay of Rs.780 crore has been approved for the upgradation of testing agencies.

The scheme will incorporate a phased manufacturing programme (PMP) to encourage domestic manufacturing and strengthen the EV supply chain.