Continuation of subsidy is very critical to support the development of market for electric vehicles, asserted Hemalatha Annamalai, CEO & Founder, Ampere Electric Vehicle Pvt. Ltd.
Reiterating that subsidy was also vital for the development of manufacturing eco-system, she said in a release that the industry needed a separate fund for continuous innovation, research and development in the area of advanced power electronics.
Government of India, it may be recalled, had notified FAME India Scheme (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles in India) for implementation with effect from April 1, 2015. The scheme was extended for two years. The scheme lapses on March 31, 2018.
Ms. Hemalatha, who is also the member of the National Council for Electric Mobility, said: “The continuation of FAME India Scheme is vital for sustaining the ecosystem, to convert 30% of automobile fleet into EVs by 2030. The EV industry, which is still in the nascent stage, needs support to achieve the targeted number, which should be at least 1% of the gasoline two-wheelers, as a first step, to make the EV proposition affordable with volume drivers.”
A separate fund for continuous innovation, research & development in the area of advanced power electronics was crucial as electric vehicle would now transform into electronic vehicle in the next 3-5 years. ``It will be a paradigm shift of a multi-folded disruptions in business model, technology and application, transforming the entire mobility spectrum & its constituents,” she said. She urged the Government to bring all the "power electronics professionals” back to India and step up innovation suitable and relevant for the Indian drive conditions.
“Incentives to promote indigenous manufacturing under Make in India for MSME (medium, small and micro enterprise) sector will foster job creation and help transform India into an EV export manufacturing hub,” she added.
In the wake of confusion over the custom duty on the import of auto components for EVs, she wanted the duty be made zero for sustained growth of the players until local manufacturing of key parts such as motor, controller and charger was rampant. The industry must get the priority lending facilities for all manufacturing companies and personal finance loans for all buyers at concessional rates, Ms. Hemalatha said.
Ampere was established in 2008 with a vision to provide affordable and clean mobility solution by developing efficient electric vehicles for assorted uses. Ratan Tata has invested in the company.
