In News:

The Union Cabinet approved the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme to promote electric mobility in the country.

Objective:

• Accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption
• Establish essential charging infrastructure
• Promote cleaner and sustainable transportation

Key Highlights

• Significant Occasion: Launched on the eve of Mahatma Gandhi's 155th Birth Anniversary, aligning with the vision of ‘Swachh Bharat’ and ‘Swachh Vahan’.
• Financial Commitment: Union Cabinet approved a financial outlay of ?10,900 crore for the scheme over two years (approved on September 11, 2024).

Key Features of the PM E-DRIVE Scheme

1. Subsidies/Demand Incentives:
   • Total of ?3,679 crore allocated for:
     • 24.79 lakh electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws)
     • 3.16 lakh electric three-wheelers (e-3Ws)
     • 14,028 electric buses (e-buses)
2. E-Voucher Introduction:
   • Aadhaar-authenticated e-vouchers for EV customers
   • Simplifies access to incentives, with real-time generation for dealers.
3. E-Ambulances:
   • ?500 crore allocated for deployment
   • Standards to be developed with relevant ministries.
4. E-Buses:
   • ?4,391 crore for 14,028 e-buses in nine major cities
   • Focus on replacing scrapped state transport unit buses.
5. E-Trucks:
   • ?500 crore for incentivizing electric trucks
   • Scrapping certificates required for incentives.
6. Public Charging Stations:
   • ?2,000 crore to install:
     • 22,100 fast chargers for electric four-wheelers (e-4Ws)
     • 1,800 for e-buses
     • 48,400 for e-2Ws/3Ws
7. Test Agency Modernization:
   • ?780 crore for upgrading Ministry of Heavy Industries test agencies to accommodate new EV technologies.