Why in the news?

  • The Supreme Court opined about reconsidering the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 in the wake of deteriorating air quality in the national capital.

National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP)

  • What is it?: It is a national mission to promote adoption and manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicles in India, aiming to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and cut vehicular emissions.
  • Launch: Launched by the Ministry of Heavy Industries in 2013.
  • Objectives:
    • Achieve 6–7 million electric and hybrid vehicles on Indian roads by 2020.
    • Promote domestic manufacturing under Make in India.
    • Reduce oil import dependence.
    • Support R&D and innovation in clean mobility.
    • Create an ecosystem for e-mobility: charging, supply chains, batteries, and talent.
  • Key Components:
    • Demand Incentives: Financial incentives for hybrid/electric vehicle buyers to reduce upfront cost.
    • R&D Support: Funding for advanced battery research, electric drivetrain technology, and low-cost EV components.
    • Charging Infrastructure: Support for setting up public charging stations, grid readiness, and pilot projects.
    • Manufacturing Support: Focus on building India’s EV manufacturing ecosystem- batteries, motors, power electronics.
  • Funding: Initially allocated ₹14,000 crore.
  • FAME Scheme: To operationalise NEMMP, the government launched FAME as its implementation arm
    • FAME India Scheme Phase I (2015-19):
      • Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles.
      • Focus: Demand incentives, technology development, pilot projects.
    • FAME India Phase II (2019-24):
      • Expanded to e-Buses, e-Three wheelers, e-Two wheelers, Fleet Taxis and Charging Infrastructure.
      • Budget: ₹10,000 crore.
  • Significance:
    • Prepared India for large-scale EV adoption.
    • Improved energy security (reduced oil imports).
    • Boosted clean mobility & climate commitments (NDCs).
    • Enabled growth of EV startups, battery manufacturing & charging networks.
    • Gave India a platform to integrate into global EV supply chains.
  • Challenges:
    • High cost of EVs despite subsidies.
    • Limited domestic battery manufacturing until recently.
    • Slow charging infrastructure growth.
    • Range anxiety & consumer awareness issues.
    • Rare earth and critical minerals dependence (Li, Co, Ni).
  • Way Forward:
    • Strengthening domestic EV supply chains.
    • Large-scale lithium-ion cell production under PLI.
    • Fast rollout of charging infrastructure in all urban centres.
    • Integrating renewable energy with EV charging networks.
    • Adopting green hydrogen & battery recycling technologies.