Question : PROMOTION OF HYBRID AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES

(a) whether the Government has proposed to launch a National Mission for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles to provide green and clean transportation to the masses in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Ministry and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) under the National Mission for Electric Mobility, has recently roped in a consulting firm to chart out a roadmap for promoting electric vehicles in India;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) the details of existing barriers preventing popularisation of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles; and

(f) the corrective follow-up action being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI PRAFUL PATEL)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Government on 31.3.2011 announced the launch of the National Mission for Electric Mobility and for setting up of National Council for Electric Mobility (NCEM) and National Board for Electric Mobility (NBEM) for propagating electric mobility and manufacture of Electric Vehicles (EVs) (including hybrid vehicles) and their components.

(c) & (d): Yes, Madam. The Department of Heavy Industry has approved the partial funding to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) for carrying out a comprehensive study towards creation of electric mobility mission plan. SIAM have appointed M/s. Booz & Allen as the knowledge partner for this study.

(e): The main barriers to greater adoption of electric vehicles (which includes entire spectrum of hybrids) are higher cost of EVs, challenges in battery technology, limited range of EVs, lack of charging infrastructure etc.

(f): The Government has approved the setting up of a structure viz. National Council for Electric Mobility (NCEM) and National Board for Electric Mobility (NBEM), to bring on a common platform all key stake holders for achieving greater synergy, setting common priorities, vision, objectives and leading to high level ownership for this key initiative.