Snapshot: Indian government takes an 180 degree turn on its previous stance regarding electric vehicles.
Indian government has taken a dramatic U-turn from its previous stance regarding the electric vehicle policy for the country. The central government has dropped the idea of an EV policy saying there is no need for such policy as of now. This comes in sharp contrast with the government’s strategy to introduce zero emission pure electric mobility across India by 2030. However, this sudden strategy change certainly gives the Indian automobile industry breather.
Interestingly, in January 2018 union road and transport minister Nitin Gadkari said the EV policy is pending for cabinet approval and the latest development comes shortly after that. Also, previously Nitin Gadkari said that his government would bulldoze the automakers if they don’t comply with the Mission EV 2030. Meanwhile, the Karnataka and Maharashtra state governments are already promoting electric mobility with their separate EV policy.
Speaking about the latest strategy to not adopt any EV policy, NITI Aayog’s chief executive Amitabh Kant has said that changing rules and regulations in India would bring loads of complications. So, the government has decided there should be action only instead of any change in the current rule and regulations. He also indicated that despite having no solid EV policy, the government will push for greener mobility.
For the government, a big trouble to adopt EV policy in India is less funding. This is why the government is relying on private funding and manufacturer initiatives to achieve the green mobility in India. However, the government will continue encouraging the green car buying process through its FAME scheme. This scheme is expected to continue for two more years.
Compared to the fossil fuel powered vehicles, number of electric vehicle sales is very low in India. A big problem for the development of electric mobility in India is the lack of charging infrastructure. High pricing of EVs is another reason that didn’t let the sales of these vehicles flourish here.