Cities buying EVs for mass transport to get grants

The Centre has invited proposals from cities with population above 10,00,000 for extending grants under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) India Scheme to promote large-scale adoption of electric vehicles in multi-modal public transport.

Using clean energy modes like electric vehicles for shared mass transport will help bring down high pollution level in big cities.

An expression of interest floated by the heavy industries ministry has invited proposals from state government departments, undertakings and municipal corporations for availing incentives to procure electric buses, electric fourwheelers, passenger cars and electric three-wheelers.

“The expression of interest is for a pilot project under the FAME India Scheme, specifically designed to give a push to electric vehicles in multi-modal public transport,” a senior government official said.

Funds amounting to not more than ~105 crore will be provided to each selected city having population of above 10,00,000 (as per 2011 Census) in the current financial year 2017- 18 for electric buses (maximum 100 per city), electric fourwheeler passenger cars and electric three-wheelers.

In addition to the monetary grant of up to ~105 crore per city, funds will also be provided for setting up of charging infrastructure in the selected cities with a ceiling of ~15 crore per city.

The proposals will be selected based on the parameters like the population of a city, its average pollution level, the number of vehicles registered, ranking in Swachhata Abhiyan and whether it is among the proposed Smart Cities.