In efforts to boost electric and hybrid technology in the country, the government of India has initiated the FAME India Scheme. Phase I of the scheme whichbegan on April 1, 2015 will end on March 31, 2017. The programme was aimed at promoting hybrid as well as electric vehicles, along with technology industries who have been planning to enter it. It is now believed that the scheme might be exteded to six months.
The scheme has reportedly received formal extention from concerned ministries - finance, power and heavy industries, and a notification in this regard is expected soon. The program sought extension of demand incentives worth Rs 127.77 crore for the purchase of more than 1.11 lakh electric and hybrid vehicles until now. FAME-India aims at becoming a 100 percent electric vehicle nation by 2030. The scheme covers mild hybrid, strong hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure electric technologies. Phase I covered all major cities like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, all state capitals and a few cities in North Eastern states.
The expansion of the scheme will see additional incentives being announced for commercial segments like electric buses, three-wheelers and taxis. Babul Supriyo, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, said, “Based on the outcome and experience gained in the Phase I (2 years), the scheme shall be reviewed appropriately with inputs from stakeholders and shall be considered for implementation post 31st March, 2017 with appropriate allocation of fund in the future.”
