Solar Electric Vehicle (EV)

Why in News?

Recently, Union Minister of Heavy Industries Inaugurates Solar Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station at Karnal Lake Resort, Karnal.

Key Points:

• The Delhi-Chandigarh Highway has become the first e-vehicle friendly highway in the country, with a network of Solar-based Electric Vehicle Charging stations (SEVCs) set up by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) under the FAME-1 [Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) & Electric Vehicles in India] scheme of the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
• The environment security has the same importance as national security and that India is making all efforts towards becoming energy independent.
• India is a vibrant voice of environment security which comprises climate change, energy conservation, clean energy transition efforts, etc. And the nation’s efforts in environment have started giving desired results.
• The establishment of similar EV chargers at regular intervals of 25-30 kms.
• The SEVC stations are equipped with individual grid-connected rooftop solar plants that will supply green and clean energy to the charging stations.
• To promote manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicle (xEV) technology and to ensure sustainable growth of the same, the Government notified FAME-India Scheme (Phase-I).
• FAME-India Scheme (Phase-I), the Scheme were implemented through four focus areas namely Demand Creation, Technology Platform, Pilot Project and Charging Infrastructure.
• Under Demand Creation focus area of the scheme, about 2.78 lakh electric/ hybrid vehicles (xEVs) were supported with a total demand incentives of Rs. 343 Crore [Approx] for purchase of xEVs under this scheme.
• 465 buses were sanctioned to various cities and States under this Scheme.
• The FAME Scheme(Phase-II) will mainly focus on supporting electrification of public & shared transportation, and aims to support through subsidies 7000 e-Buses, 5 lakh e-3 Wheelers, 55000 e-4 Wheeler Passenger Cars and 10 lakh e-2 Wheelers.
• This Phase of FAME Scheme envisages support for setting up of adequate public charging infrastructure to instill confidence among EV users, through active participation and involvement of various stakeholders including Government agencies, industries and Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs).
• A budget provision of Rs. 1000 Crore for a period of 3 years [2019-20 to 2021-22] has been earmarked for establishment of charging infrastructure under this Phase of FAME Scheme.
• Further, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under the Ministry of Power has informed that they have installed 209 AC Chargers (Slow) and 132 DC Chargers (Fast) all over India.
• Under new GST regime, the rates of GST on Electric Vehicles has been kept in the lower bracket of 12% (with no Cess) as against the 28% GST rate with Cess up to 22% for conventional vehicles.
•  Ministry of Power has allowed sale of electricity as ‘service’ for charging of electric vehicles. This would provide a huge incentive to attract investments into charging infrastructure.
• Ministry of Road Transport Highways issued notification regarding exemption of permit in case of battery operated vehicles.
• Since GST on Electric Vehicle (EV) is quite less compared to conventional vehicles, Government expects growth of EV industry in near future.