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The planet earth has finite non-renewable resources for fossil fuels which also form a much larger part of the vehicular fuel in our lives. Hence, it becomes important to save and judiciously use coal, petroleum and other natural resources. Keeping in mind the same concern, the government of India brought new and innovative alternatives such as electric vehicles into the play. Thus, the automotive industry also sees a pioneering and fresh era in its journey now. The initiative of FAME Scheme II aims in the same direction of National Fuel-saving interest, eco-friendly fuel substitution and other benefits for a developing nation like India.

What is FAME Scheme II? 

FAME scheme II, part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP), stands for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles in India. As a government scheme, it was launched in its first phase on 1st April 2015 for a three-year three-year sprint up to 31st March 2018 but got an extension for another year up to 31st March 2019. The FAME Scheme II aims to provide an impetus for producing hybrid electric vehicles.  The scheme is implemented and supervised by the Department of Heavy Industries.  Also, the second phase of the scheme began on 1st April 2019 for another three years. 

Objectives of FAME Scheme II

The following are the objectives of the FAME Scheme II:

  • The scheme has its main objective of replacing petrol/diesel vehicles with electric automobiles, which would eventually also bring down fossil fuel demands in the long run. 
  • Another concrete objective of the scheme lies in switching to eco-friendly automotives, keeping in mind the day-by-day increase in fuel demand due to scaled-up transportation services and need. 
  • The government also aims to introduce these environmentally-friendly vehicles / Automotives to the public at cost-effective prices. 
  • Also, the government visualises putting India at the top of the automotive industry in the world, for which this scheme can be a game-changer. 
  • The scheme also sets up electric vehicle charging points with greater speed and efficiency. It attempts to improvise prices better by providing subsidies as well. 
  • Additionally, the Fame Scheme II has a primary target of converting 30% of total transportation into electric and hybrid vehicles by 2030.

Salient Features of FAME Scheme II

The following are the salient features of FAME Scheme II :

  1. The first phase, also the trial and error phase of the scheme, was divided into four crucial levels:
  1.  Demand Creation
  2. Technology Platform
  3. Pilot project
  4. Charging Infrastructure
  1.   5 Lakh e-three wheelers, 7000 Electric e-Buses,10 Lakh e-two wheelers, 55000 e-four wheelers passenger cars have been planned by the Department of Heavy Electricals to be released with the adequate number of charging stations as well. 
  2.   FAME Scheme II has a huge budget of 10,000 Crore Rupees.
  3. The Department of Heavy Electricals has announced the making and release of  6690 Electric Buses, 3.32 Lakh Electric Vehicles and some 3297 Charging stations all over the country.
  4. FAME Scheme I somewhat laid the creation of demands for affordable vehicles. The scheme has provisions for reducing the costs of the vehicles.
  5. The departmental authorities made pilot observations which ranged for four years through the first phase of the FAME Scheme. They concluded that there were not enough charging stations to support the electric vehicles.
  6. The FAME Scheme II, under the aegis of the government, aims to establish some 2700 electric vehicle charging stations in metropolitan cities, smart cities, states with hilly areas and cities with one million-plus population across the country. The grid measurements for such an infrastructural setup would follow a 3 km x 3 km layout.
  7. The Government of India also has a goal of covering highways and establishing electric vehicle charging stations on both sides of the highway roads, which would be with a gap of an average of 25km between two continuous charging stations.

Conclusion: 

The FAME Scheme II aims to facilitate the sale of hybrid electric vehicles with a large number of 6-7 million by the end of 2020 under the implementation and supervision of the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises. People can also apply for the scheme through relevant local authorities about the scheme. FAME Scheme II is meant for 2-4 wheeler vehicles along the lines of subsidy provisions. FAME Scheme II also has a depository mentioned on the official website of the Department of Heavy Industry. Hence, FAME Scheme II focuses on how electric vehicles can be a game-changer in bringing about an environmentally friendly India.