On 19 July, the government asserted that subsidies for promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) in India will not include automobiles for personal usage.

"The government has made clear its intention to promote electric mobility through commercial fleet owners and incentives will be only offered to them," said Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Arjun Ram Meghwal, at the India UK Electric Mobility Forum 2019.

Under the government's Rs 10,000-crore FAME scheme, subsidy on EVs are given to three and four-wheelers for commercial and fleet applications. However, in two-wheelers it is also extended for personal usage.

Meghwal also said that the government expects the country to adopt electric vehicles in "all natural course," be it for bikes, cars, trucks, buses and e-rickshaws, emphasising that the transition was necessary in order to reduce carbon emissions as per the Paris Agreement. It was the only way to provide smoke-free environment to the future generations, he added.

"Proposals are invited from cities that intend to develop charging infrastructure in million-plus cities as per 2011 census. Initially, 1,000 EV charging stations are earmarked for development through the EOI (expressions of interest)," Meghwal said on plans to promote EV adoption.

These charging stations will be sanctioned in different cities after evaluation of the proposals received under the EOI.
"We also plan to connect all charging stations with grid-connected solar power plant of required capacity as per new renewable energy guidelines so as to ensure grid stability and green energy for EVs," he added.

"The government also wants to have an electric highway. We are working on that front. The shift towards EVs will not only tackle air pollution, but also reduce import bill," Meghwal said.

With inputs from PTI