PM E-DRIVE Scheme

TAG: GS: 3- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

CONTEXT:

The Union Cabinet on 11^th Sep 2024 approved the PM E-Drive Scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore for two years to boost adoption of electric vehicles in India, replacing the flagship FAME programme that ran for nine years till March this year.

EXPLANATION:

About PM E-DRIVE Scheme: PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme has an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over a period of two years for promotion of electric mobility in the country.

Components of the scheme

• Subsidies and Demand Incentives: The scheme allocates Rs 3,679 crore to incentivise the purchase of electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws), three-wheelers (e-3Ws), electric ambulances, trucks, and other emerging EV categories.
• E-Vouchers for EV Buyers: Buyers of electric vehicles will be issued an e-voucher under the scheme to avail demand incentives. The e-voucher will be Aadhaar-authenticated and sent to the buyer’s registered mobile number after the purchase.
• E-Ambulance Deployment: A budget of Rs 500 crore has been allocated to deploy electric ambulances. This new initiative aims to provide comfortable and environmentally friendly patient transport. Performance and safety standards for e-ambulances will be developed in consultation with MoHFW, MoRTH, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Incentives for E-Trucks: Under this component Rs 500 crore has been allocated to promote the deployment of e-trucks, a major contributor to air pollution. Those who hold a scrapping certificate from authorised MoRTH Vehicle Scrapping Centres (RVSFs) will be eligible for the incentives.
• Charging Infrastructure: To address range anxiety and support the growth of electric vehicles, Rs 2,000 crore will be used to install public charging stations (EVPCS) in cities with high EV penetration and along selected highways.

What is E- Vehicle?

It is defined as a vehicle that can be powered by an electric motor that draws electricity from a battery and is capable of being charged from an external source.

Source:

https://www.financialexpress.com/business/express-mobility-cabinet-approves-rs-10900-crore-pm-e-drive-to-push-electric-mobility-3608626/#:~:text=The%20Union%20Cabinet%20on%20Wednesday,years%20till%20March%20this%20year