`5,500 cr FAME II finalised; all EVS to get subsidy support

NEW DELHI: An inter-ministerial panel on Thursday finalised the roadmap for the second phase of FAME India scheme with an outlay of around Rs 5,500 crore spanning over five years and subsidy support for all types of electric vehicles, official sources said.

The panel decided to offer subsidy to all categories of electric vehicles, including twowheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers, to promote green vehicles and check pollution, they said.

"Incentives will be provided on purchase of two-wheelers as well as three-wheelers and four-wheelers including taxis and electric buses used in public transport to check pollution. However, strong hybrid vehicles will not be entitled to sops anymore," a government official said. Top officials from finance, road transport and highways and heavy industry ministry, among other departments, participated in the meeting.

Representatives from government think tank NITI Aayog were also present, sources said.

At present, the incentive is being offered on purchase of strong hybrid and electric cars, two-wheelers and three-wheelers under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric vehicles in India (FAME India- I) scheme.

Under the scheme, depending on technology, battery-operated scooters and motorcycles are eligible for incentives ranging between Rs 1,800 to Rs 29,000, while in three-wheelers it is between Rs 3,300 and Rs 61,000.

At present, automotive manufacturers claim the incentive from the government at the end of each month.

With an aim to promote ecofriendly vehicles, the government had launched the FAME India scheme in 2015. The ongoing pilot phase of the scheme was earlier extended till September this year or until its second phase is approved.

Battery-operated scooters are eligible for incentives ranging between `1,800 to `29,000, while for three-wheelers it is between `3,300 and `61,000