Public Campaign to Promote Hybrid and Electric Vehicles: Overview and Benefits

Public Campaign to Promote Hybrid and Electric Vehicles: Overview and Benefits

Question: June 5 was recently celebrated as World Environment Day. Provide an overview of the public campaign to promote hybrid and electric vehicles initiated by GoI on this day. Also highlight the benefits of hybrid and electric vehicles.


• On World Environment Day, a rally of electric and hybrid vehicles was flagged off by the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and MoEF

• The event publicised the FAME India scheme/Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles

• This scheme aims to protect the environment through reduction of GHG emissions and reduction in the use of fossil fuel

• SIAM and SMEV are also involved in the conduct of the programme

• Move to promote electric and hybrid vehicles is part of the Make in India initiative of the PM

Benefits

• Launch of these vehicles will protect the environment

• It will reduce dependence on fossil fuels

• It will also result in significant cost savings

• It will lower GHG emissions

• Of the total INR 795 crore budget allocated in FY15-16 and FY16-17, an initial outlay of INR 75 crore has already been approved for the FAME scheme

Facts and Stats

• Subsidy of 30% is given to buyers of such vehicles and the replacement of fossil fuel run cars with hybrid and electric cars will also result in net saving of INR 14,000 crore

• FAME scheme will focus on 4 key areas namely technology development, demand creation, pilot projects and charging infrastructure

• Aim of the government is to implement the scheme till 2020 and encourage sale of 60 to 70 lakh units of electric and hybrid cars

• This will encourage savings of 2 million MT of carbon dioxide per year generating additional 3 lakh jobs