Fuel stations across the country may soon be rebranded to provide
specialised services for electric run cars and autos as government looks
to promote the use of these eco-friendly vehicles in cities facing rise
in pollution levels from vehicular emissions.
Top sources in the heavy industries ministry said that select fuel stations state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) such as Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum would be provided with solar powered charging points that could be used by electric vehicles on payment of nominal fees.
“We have already held discussions with OMCs over this initiative. It would be launched after a successful run in the pilot project slated for New Delhi,” the official quoted earlier said.
As part of the programme to support electric vehicle initiative, the heavy industries ministries has already asked Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) and Rajasthan Electronics to develop prototype of electric vehicle charging stations based on solar power panels. The prototype is expected to be ready in next couple of months after which the pilot project would begin in Delhi.
The national roll out of the scheme may start from next financial year onwards depending on the proliferation of electric vehicles in the country. One of the issues faced by electric vehicles is lack of proper battery recharging facility. This has given birth of entry of hybrid vehicles that run both on conventional fuel and electricity.
At present only Mahindra, Toyota and BMW have introduced electric/hybrid passenger cars in the country. In addition, Lucknow-based public sector undertaking Scooters India Ltd (SIL) is running SIL its electric vehicle – Vikram EV – on a trial basis in Delhi and Lucknow while Hyundai launched and electric variant of its i10 car.
Ford Motors, Tata Motors and general Motors are planning to launch electric vehicles in the country. Besides, a few smaller makers are manufacturing e-rickshaws and companies like Hero, BSA and Electrotherm are making electric two-wheelers.
“The market for electric vehicles is very small in the country. But with government support both in terms of fiscal incentives and creation of infrastructure by way of increased number of charging stations, it can soon become popular mode of transportation,” said an official of Scooters India asking not to be named.
As per industry estimates, electric vehicle comprise mere 1 per cent of total two-wheeler market and 2-3 per cent of car market in the country. Optimistic estimates suggest that this would go up to 6 per cent level over next 5-7 years.
Government on its part has launched a new scheme - Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India or FAME—to promote use of electric vehicles in the country. FAME was announced in the budget this year with a provision of Rs 75 crore.
The scheme takes forward the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government’s National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) that aimed at putting seven million electric and hybrid vehicles on Indian roads by 2020.
Under FAME, the government has proposed incentives on hybrid and electric vehicles of up to Rs 29,000 for two-wheelers and Rs 1.38 lakh for cars. It is also offering discount support amounting to one-third of the difference between the price of an electric two-wheeler and a comparable petrol model.
Top sources in the heavy industries ministry said that select fuel stations state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) such as Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum would be provided with solar powered charging points that could be used by electric vehicles on payment of nominal fees.
“We have already held discussions with OMCs over this initiative. It would be launched after a successful run in the pilot project slated for New Delhi,” the official quoted earlier said.
As part of the programme to support electric vehicle initiative, the heavy industries ministries has already asked Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) and Rajasthan Electronics to develop prototype of electric vehicle charging stations based on solar power panels. The prototype is expected to be ready in next couple of months after which the pilot project would begin in Delhi.
The national roll out of the scheme may start from next financial year onwards depending on the proliferation of electric vehicles in the country. One of the issues faced by electric vehicles is lack of proper battery recharging facility. This has given birth of entry of hybrid vehicles that run both on conventional fuel and electricity.
At present only Mahindra, Toyota and BMW have introduced electric/hybrid passenger cars in the country. In addition, Lucknow-based public sector undertaking Scooters India Ltd (SIL) is running SIL its electric vehicle – Vikram EV – on a trial basis in Delhi and Lucknow while Hyundai launched and electric variant of its i10 car.
Ford Motors, Tata Motors and general Motors are planning to launch electric vehicles in the country. Besides, a few smaller makers are manufacturing e-rickshaws and companies like Hero, BSA and Electrotherm are making electric two-wheelers.
“The market for electric vehicles is very small in the country. But with government support both in terms of fiscal incentives and creation of infrastructure by way of increased number of charging stations, it can soon become popular mode of transportation,” said an official of Scooters India asking not to be named.
As per industry estimates, electric vehicle comprise mere 1 per cent of total two-wheeler market and 2-3 per cent of car market in the country. Optimistic estimates suggest that this would go up to 6 per cent level over next 5-7 years.
Government on its part has launched a new scheme - Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India or FAME—to promote use of electric vehicles in the country. FAME was announced in the budget this year with a provision of Rs 75 crore.
The scheme takes forward the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government’s National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) that aimed at putting seven million electric and hybrid vehicles on Indian roads by 2020.
Under FAME, the government has proposed incentives on hybrid and electric vehicles of up to Rs 29,000 for two-wheelers and Rs 1.38 lakh for cars. It is also offering discount support amounting to one-third of the difference between the price of an electric two-wheeler and a comparable petrol model.
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