Now EV subsidies will not be available for very long, the government gave indications.
To promote electric vehicles in the country, the Government of India currently gives subsidies to them. Ultimately, the customer gets the benefit of this subsidy given to the companies. Earlier, the government gave subsidies to the people on EVs through the FAME scheme and currently the PM E-Drive subsidy scheme is in force in the country. But this subsidy will not remain for long now, the government has given indications of this.
A meeting of auto companies was held with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday. This was a discussion before the budget. In this meeting, the government asked the electric vehicle (EV) companies if they are ready if the current subsidy system ends. On this, the auto companies agreed and said that after the current subsidy system ends, they will not need subsidy.
Piyush Goyal himself gave the information
Piyush Goyal himself gave this information in a press conference after talking to the representatives of the EV sector. He said that discussions were also held with the companies about developing the infrastructure of battery swapping stations and charging stations. In this business, EV companies can choose any business model according to their convenience.
Piyush Goyal said that whether to cooperate in battery swapping and share resources or to sell only battery vehicles will be the companies' own decision. At the same time, all the companies were unanimous on the fact that after the current subsidy system ends, none of them will need to increase the subsidy. From cars to 2-wheelers and commercial vehicles, every segment now has models that make the electric vehicle market self-reliant.
He said, "Today electric mobility is ready to take off. They do not need new subsidies. The existing subsidies are available for some more time and this will help them give the EV sector a good start."
Charging stations will be built at petrol pumps
On the question of infrastructure related to battery charging stations, Piyush Goyal said that the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO) has prepared a draft to develop various EV charging and battery swapping services at petrol pumps. This makes it easier to set up charging infrastructure at petrol pumps or gas stations.
The commerce ministry has suggested making those guidelines self-monitored and self-certified so that whoever is setting up the charging stations can self-regulate them.