FAME to Niti Aayog! Government think tank to handle ambitious electric vehicles project

The electric vehicles programme has been shifted from the department of heavy industries to Niti Ayog, given that most ministries wished that they too have a say in the ambitious mission of the Indian government.

Now that Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles (FAME) programme has bee moved to the government's premier think tank, efforts of different government departments will be in better sync so that the government’s dream of moving towards an all-electric fleet by 2030 has more chances of seeing the light of the day, a government official told ET.

"Most ministries were interested in anchoring the programme and were acting in silos," said the official.

The proposal was led by IITM professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala, and includes promotion of selling two-wheelers, three-wheelers and city buses without batteries in order to make them more affordable.

Government would be providing the batteries on lease at a specified cost, which would be swapped with recharged ones at charging stations, another official said.

"A number of fast-charging stations are planned to be put up for cars, as swapping model is not being considered viable given their design," the official added.

Other than getting batteries swapped, vehicles could also be slow-charged at homes and offices overnight.

(Image source IAmWire)