Govt launches PM E-DRIVE subsidy scheme for EVs with Rs 10,900 cr outlay | Auto

In the second year, it will be halved by Rs 2,500 per kilowatt hour, and the overall benefit will not exceed Rs 5,000. Currently, popular electric scooter makers like Ola, TVS, Ather Energy, Hero Vida (Hero Motocorp) and Chetak Bajaj have battery capacities of 2.88-4 kWh in price range of Rs 90,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh.

Addressing the launch event, Additional Secretary in Ministry of Heavy Industries Hanif Qureshi said a mobile app will be introduced for e-vouchers generated for availing subsidy under the scheme to make the entire process seamless.

“One vehicle per Aadhaar will be allowed. As soon as the vehicle is sold, e-voucher will be generated,” the additional secretary said.

He further informed that Rs 780 crore being earmarked towards upgradation of testing facilities under PM E-DRIVE scheme is proposed to be utilised for new equipment and technology to be put in place for testing of electric vehicles.

Under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, subsidies/demand incentives worth Rs 3,679 crore have been provided to incentivise 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.

Three-wheelers, including e-rickshaws, will get a demand incentive of Rs 25,000 in the first year, which will be halved to Rs 12,500 in the second year.

For the L5 category (cargo three-wheelers), they will get a benefit of Rs 50,000 in the first year, and for the second year, it is Rs 25,000.

Ministry of Heavy Industries is introducing e-vouchers for EV buyers to avail demand incentives under the scheme. 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 shall be sent to the registered mobile number of the buyer. This e-voucher will be signed by the buyer and submitted to the dealer to avail 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 shall be sent to the buyer and dealer through an SMS.

The signed e-voucher will be essential for OEM (original equipment manufacturer) to claim reimbursement of demand incentives under the scheme. The scheme will promote the deployment of e-trucks in the country.

An amount of Rs 500 crore has been allocated for incentivising e-trucks. Incentives will be given to those who have a scrapping certificate from MoRTH approved vehicles scrapping centres.

The scheme addresses range anxiety of EV buyers by promoting in a big way the installation of electric vehicle public charging stations (EVPCS). These EVPCS shall be installed in select cities with high EV penetration and also on selected highways.

The scheme proposes installation of 22,100 fast chargers for e-4Ws, 1,800 fast chargers for e-buses and 48,400 fast chargers for e-2W/3Ws. The outlay for EVPCS will be Rs 2,000 crore.

First Published: Oct 01 2024 | 5:08 PM IST