Question : Development of e-Highways

(a) whether the Government is committed to provide an indigenous, pollution-free and cost-effective fuel to customers;

(b) if so, whether the Government is considering to develop electric highways/e-highways in the near future;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the timeframe fixed for this purpose;

(d) whether the Government has invited Indian industry to come forward and invest in the pilot initiative and if so, the response of the Indian industry thereto; and

(e) whether the Government also proposes to study the feasibility of hydrogen-based vehicles and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) Government has taken number of measures to promote the use of alternative fuels and electric vehicles to curb the pollution. To promote alternate fuels, the Government has issued various notifications specifying mass emission standards for Compressed Natural Gas, Biodiesel (B-100), flex-fuel (E 85) or (E 100) and ethanol (ED 95), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Methanol M15 or M100 and Methanol MD 95, dual fuel with Compressed Natural Gas or Bio-Compressed Natural Gas or Liquefied Natural Gas engines, Di-Methyl Ether (DME or D100) Vehicles. For promotion of electric vehicles, Government has notified standards for retro-fitment of hybrid electric system or electric kit to vehicles. Further, the Government, has also granted exemption to the Battery Operated Transport Vehicles and Transport Vehicles running on Ethanol and Methanol fuels from the requirements of permit.

(b) to (d) Yes, NITI Aayog held a meeting of Working Group on e-highways on 09.08.2019 under the Chairmanship of Member (S&T), in which it has been decided to constitute a team comprising of experts on mobility from railways and OEMs.

(e) Yes, National Security Council Secretariat is exploring all possibilities on using Hydrogen as fuel. Moreover, this Ministry has granted approval to joint initiative of Indian Oil Corporation Limited and M/s. Tata Motors Limited for road trial of Hydrogen fuel cell bus in Delhi and Faridabad.
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