No policy initiative to encourage electric vehicle makers, admits Govt

Picture of Mahindra Reva e2o for representation purpose only

Hats off to companies like Mahindra Reva and Hero Electric for pursuing their dreams to bring about a greener world and encourage the use of electric vehicles in India. Because the government has now admitted that it has not implemented schemes/policy initiatives to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles. This information was given on December 2, 2014 by Minister of State in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises G.M. Siddeshwara in a written reply to Lok Sabha question.

Mahindra Reva e2o is not only the greenest car available in India today but it also an initiative by the Mahindra group to encourage the use of electric vehicles in the country. Similar is the case with Naveen Munjal controlled Hero Electric that manufactures electric motorcycles and cycles in the country. Both these companies have been fighting all odds to ensure that their products are accepted by people. This is despite the fact that the Indian government is doing almost nothing to encourage their use.

The Minister said in his reply that a Scheme for Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles In India, under the National Electric Mobility Mission 2020 has been proposed. The scheme envisages to encourage progressive induction of reliable, affordable and efficient electric and hybrid vehicles (xEV) in the country that meet consumer performance and price expectations, through Government-Industry collaboration for promotion and development of indigenous manufacturing capabilities, required infrastructure, consumer awareness and technology; thereby helping India to emerge as a leader in the xEV Two Wheeler and Four Wheeler market in the world by 2020. The Mission aims at providing a clean transportation system to the people that is not dependent on gasoline based fossil fuel, he said.

But the Minister also admitted that the scheme is only on paper no policy initiative has been undertaken to encourage these brave hearts among the Indian corporates.