Govt support needed till EV segment crosses a certain threshold: Girish Wagh
1 min read 22 Jan 2023, 08:17 PM ISTAccording to Wagh, there is also a case to consider the extension of the FAME II scheme, which will come to an end next year and include bigger electric buses to avail of subsidy, he told PTI.
PremiumSupport provided by the government to promote electric and zero emission vehicles through schemes such as FAME II, need to be continued till penetration of such automobiles crosses a particular threshold with a good level of localisation, expresses Tata Motors Executive Director Girish Wagh.
According to Wagh, there is also a case to consider the extension of the FAME II scheme, which will come to an end next year and include bigger electric buses to avail of subsidy, he told PTI.
"The government has done a terrific job to promote, or more than promote I would say, ignite electric vehicle or zero emission vehicle demand. Whether it is FAME phase I, phase II, now PLI and state level incentives, a lot of policy measures, the government has really done a terrific job," said Wagh.
As per Wagh, the company’s expectation would be that the government continues with this till the electric vehicle penetration crosses a particular threshold where there is a good level of localisation. Once the country has a particular threshold on the road, the anxiety issues of the customers at large also will get addressed and then he thinks it will be on its own.
He was responding to queries on expectations from the upcoming Union Budget. Specific to FAME II, when asked if there is a case to extend the duration of the scheme beyond next year, Wagh told PTI, "I can speak only for my industry. So, yes, I think for buses, it is going to be very important and currently, I think it is also limited to the smaller vehicles."
Probably, there is also a case to look at some of the other categories of vehicles that are goods carrying, which otherwise are not there under the scheme, such as the medium category in the 19-20 tonne range, told Wagh.
"If they are included in the FAME then even there, we can start seeing penetration or at least a seeding of electric vehicles," he said
Wagh suggested that the government can have discussions with the industry and take their inputs to consider whether it makes sense to include these vehicles for subsidy under the FAME II scheme.
(With inputs from PTI)
