FAME III: India’s Push for More Electric Vehicles
The third phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme is almost ready, but the exact timeline is still unknown. Union Minister for Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy mentioned that preparations are ongoing for FAME III, with ministries recommending how to implement the program.
About the FAME Scheme
The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) started the FAME scheme in 2015 to promote electric and hybrid vehicles in India. Phase-I lasted until March 2019 with a budget of Rs 895 crore. It focused on technological development, demand generation, pilot projects, and charging infrastructure.
Phase-I Achievements
During Phase-I, around 2.8 lakh hybrid vehicles received incentives worth Rs 359 crore. Additionally, 425 electric and hybrid buses were deployed in various cities with a government incentive of Rs 280 crore. The ministry also sanctioned 520 charging stations for Rs 43 crore and funded technology development projects worth Rs 158 crore.
Phase-II Achievements
Phase-II began in April 2019 with a budget of Rs 11,500 crore, focusing on public and shared transportation electrification. It aimed to support 7,262 e-buses, 1,55,536 e-3 wheelers, 30,461 e-4 wheeler passenger cars, and 15,50,225 e-2 wheelers. As of July, claims for 16,71,606 electric vehicles worth Rs 6,825 crore have been submitted for subsidy reimbursement. Additionally, 6,862 electric buses were sanctioned, with 4,853 supplied by July 2024.
Charging Infrastructure
The ministry sanctioned Rs 800 crore for 7,432 public charging stations and released Rs 560 crore to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). In March 2024, an additional Rs 73.50 crore was sanctioned for 980 public fast charging stations, with Rs 51.45 crore already released.
This information was provided by Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel, Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Doubts Revealed
FAME III -: FAME III is the third phase of a program in India to encourage people to use electric and hybrid vehicles instead of petrol or diesel ones. It stands for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries -: This is a person in the Indian government who is responsible for industries that make big machines and vehicles. Right now, it’s HD Kumaraswamy.
HD Kumaraswamy -: He is a politician in India and the current Union Minister for Heavy Industries. He helps make decisions about big industries and vehicles.
Hybrid Vehicles -: These are cars or buses that use both petrol/diesel and electricity to run. They are better for the environment than regular vehicles.
Electric Vehicles -: These are cars, buses, or bikes that run only on electricity. They don’t use petrol or diesel and are better for the environment.
Charging Infrastructure -: These are places where you can charge electric vehicles, like charging stations for electric cars, similar to petrol pumps for regular cars.
Subsidies -: This is money given by the government to help make things cheaper. In this case, the government gives money to make electric vehicles and charging stations cheaper for people.
Phase II -: This was the second part of the FAME scheme, which started in 2019. It helped support many electric vehicles and charging stations.
16 lakh -: Lakh is a term used in India to mean 100,000. So, 16 lakh means 1,600,000 or 1.6 million.
E-buses -: These are buses that run on electricity instead of petrol or diesel. They are better for the environment.
