[Aditya]

The Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) of the Government of India, in association with the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), has launched the Scheme for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India).

The scheme intends to achieve national fuel security, globally competitive xEV (hybrid & electric vehicle) eco-system and affordable environment friendly transportation for the future. It encompasses 4 major thrust areas - demand & supply creation, technology development, charging infrastructure and pilot projects.

The National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) will be implemented over a period of 6 years, till 2020. Under it, the government aims to sell 6-7 million xEVs per year. The initial 2 year phase I of the scheme kicked off this month with the onset of the new financial year and shall last till the end of the financial Year 2016-17 with an approved outlay of Rs. 795 crore.

If executed as per the plan, the government claims that the scheme would result in a substantial decrease in carbon dioxide emissions by 24 million tonnes, fuel savings up to 9,500 million litres (valued at Rs. 60,000 crore)and creation of approximately 3 lakh jobs by 2020.

In the recent union budget, the government allocated Rs.75 crore to the scheme. Based on the success in the introductory phase, the mission will provide further impetus including further investments in an attempt to make the xEV technologies a sustainable reality in the country.

A display of hybrid and electric vehicles in two, three and four-wheeler segments being manufactured in India, which are eligible for coverage under the new scheme has also been inaugurated.

Anant Geete, Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises of India, has called upon both, the industry and academia in the country to come forward and develop new and advanced electric and hybrid vehicle models across all segments matching international standards, which are also cost effective. He also stated that the involvement of state governments and local bodies will be crucial in the successful roll out of pilot projects and public charging infrastructure.

[anra]

Good development, hope converts to reality.

More scheme details here;
http://www.business-standard.com/art...0800878_1.html

http://www.business-standard.com/art...0301295_1.html
Details of the Swift mentioned in the 1st link.

Govt press release with more details;
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelea...x?relid=118088

http://media.ntu.edu.sg/NewsReleases...0-10ae4c50c934
Nanyang Technology University develops breakthrough battery technology.

[byomjeet]

Its a welcome move by the Government. People who wanted to own electric vehicles (two-wheeler or four-wheeler) and were not able to or not interested just due to its price will now be able to own one.

But the policy should be implemented in its true sense and should cover the entire country as soon as possible. Not only the new purchases, the battery replacements should also have been subsidized. Moreover, availability of these vehicles should also be made easily to customers in major cities in all the states in the country.

Regards.

[Contrapunto]

Its counter-intuitive. But drastically reducing, or even eliminating input taxes like excise and customs for EVs may actually have a much greater impact than "subsidy". (I know, I know, governments love "subsidies"...). Hope there is some movement in that direction.

[LkoNawab]

Is there a list of vehicles which are currently available under FAME scheme. Also are there any steps to be taken up by the Buyer to avail these benefits.

[itwasntme]

Any manufacturer selling an eligible hybrid or all electric vehicle will clearly mention the FAME discount in the price list. No extra steps need to be taken by the buyers either.

[jetti]

Is the exact criteria and level of benefits posted somewhere? I came across this document: http://dhi.nic.in/writereaddata/Uplo...FAME_India.pdf but I'm not able to understand the exact calculations and criteria.

[girishglg]

Though its a good move to promote EV, there seems to be very few choices if we consider the four wheeler category. Actually one can think of just one - e20 from Mahindras which is a decent set of wheels.

All the other EV types seen in our markets are either some 3 wheeler variants or 2 wheelers scooterettes which are mostly tacky imported pieces selling without much of a track record.

Hope things change quickly and we get more options in passenger cars. How about a electric Nano competing with the e20?

[GTO]

Ever wondered how many EVs sell in India? Here are the figures.

Total EV sales for FY 2015-16 stood at 22,000 units (20,000 two-wheelers & 2000 four-wheelers) as compared to 16,000 EVs sold during FY 2014-15.

[mpksuhas]

One doubt I always had about electric vehicles in Indian context is the amount of 'actual' fossil fuel savings.
Considering that ~ 70% of energy generation in India is from fossil fuel (Natural gas 9%, Coat 61%. Source) on top of that with a transmission loss of around 20% (Source) the energy we receive is not clean and efficient.

I am not sure of the charging - discharging efficiency for a electric vehicle, however I doubt if we would be decreasing any greenhouse emissions this way.

May be if the power generation was more from renewable source the case may be different. Yes, it may help in getting pollution on roads less, but are we just moving the problem from city roads to power generation stations?

[alpha1]

Originally Posted by mpksuhas

One doubt I always had about electric vehicles in Indian context is the amount of 'actual' fossil fuel savings.
Considering that ~ 70% of energy generation in India is from fossil fuel (Natural gas 9%, Coat 61%. Source) on top of that with a transmission loss of around 20% (Source) the energy we receive is not clean and efficient.

I am not sure of the charging - discharging efficiency for a electric vehicle, however I doubt if we would be decreasing any greenhouse emissions this way.

May be if the power generation was more from renewable source the case may be different. Yes, it may help in getting pollution on roads less, but are we just moving the problem from city roads to power generation stations?

Even if the electricity generation happens from fossil fuels, the scale and efficiency of a power plant is MUCH higher than what we achieve in our piddling vehicles in comparison.

Transmission losses, now that it something where India is extremely poor ...

[blackwasp]

Originally Posted by LkoNawab

Is there a list of vehicles which are currently available under FAME scheme. Also are there any steps to be taken up by the Buyer to avail these benefits.

Ciaz SHVS diesel and Ertiga SHVS diesel are the cars currently getting fame subsidy from the Maruti stable for their mild hybrids. The FAME discount needs to be applied within 1 month from the date of invoice of car but after registration. This is done by dealer and they issue checks for the same.

[The Rationalist]

Originally Posted by GTO

Ever wondered how many EVs sell in India? Here are the figures.
2000 four-wheelers

Mahindra E20 is one that comes to my mind and BMW i8, but can E20 account for 2000 a year? Am I missing something, are there some 4 wheel electric rickshaws that are included? Would be interesting to know the break up.

[dZired]

Union Heavy Industries Minister, Anant Geete, has claimed that the Government's FAME India initiative will help in saving fuel worth Rs. 60,000 crores, every year.

FAME scheme offering incentives for hybrid and electric vehicles will help in annual saving of fuel worth Rs 60,000 crore besides containing pollution, Heavy Industries Minister Anant Geete said on Wednesday.

"The biggest challenge for the auto sector today is related with environment. Under the scheme, the government has decided to invest Rs 14,000 crore. Due to this investment, we would be able to save fuel worth about Rs 60,000 crore. This means, definitely it will help in controlling pollution also," the minister said at the SIAM convention here.

Source: ET Auto

[RavenAvi]

Indian automakers are in the process of introducing several electric and hybrid cars in the market within the next 3 years. Apart from tax benefits from the government under various schemes for hybrids/electric cars, the increasing pollution across major Indian cities and subsequent bans across vehicle categories is seen as a major reason for this.

Leading the pack is Maruti-Suzuki India Limited, who is working hard on a mild-hybrid version of it's S-Cross diesel, as it continues it's R&D on a small petrol car with a mild hybrid option. The company already enjoys a big share in the hybrid segment with it's mild-hybrid option in the Ciaz sedan, which comes under the 12.5% excise duty bracket, instead of the 24-27% bracket usually reserved for mid-size sedans.

Hyundai Motor India Limited has already elaborated on it's plans of introducing a mild-hybrid version of the next-gen 2017 Verna, while it mulls a similar option for it's upcoming Tucson SUV.

Mahindra & Mahindra is currently working on a mild-hybrid version of it's bestselling XUV500, which is scheduled for a launch in the next 6-12 months, while it is in the process of developing full electric variants of the E2O and the KUV100 compact SUVs.

Other auto majors such as Volkswagen, Honda, Nissan and Toyota are planning more expensive hybrids and electric vehicles in higher segments, where customers don't mind paying more for pure hybrid options.

The government offers lower excise duties on electric and hybrid cars under it's FAME (Faster Adoption of Manufacturing of hybrid and electric Vehicles) scheme, which is a part of it's National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP).

Guillaume Sicard, President, Nissan Motor India:

"We are strongly contemplating bringing in the Leaf electric small car to India and I think with full hybrid technology in vehicles like X Trail is more suitable as an additional 4-5 lakh extra on 30 lakh SUV, won't pinch that buyer. For us these cars will help us in building our brand."

R C Bhargava, chairman, Maruti Suzuki:

"Since strong hybrids are expensive, India needs to go step by step, as it is not possible, to introduce strong hybrid at an affordable price. At the moment mild-hybrid is the best solution, with time with more local manufacturing of parts, the electrification content in the engine can be increased."

Tom von Bonsdorff, MD, Volvo Auto India:

"Volvo's philosophy is to provide plug-in hybrid and not just hybrids. The average commute distance of most people in India would be less than 40 km per day and hence plug-in hybrid car owners can contribute to the environment by exercising zero carbon footprint to their cities."

Suraj Ghosh, principal analyst, powertrain Forecasts, IHS Automotive:

"By 2020, about 40% of diesel vehicles is expected to have some sort of electrification - either with Stop/Start systems or mild-hybrids. Fuel Economy regulations and BS6 will be the main drivers for that."

ET