Mention
News Highlights from India’s Renewable Energy Sector in July 2019edit
The month of July was filled with significant happenings in all segments of the renewable industry. While the biggest event of the month was the introduction of the Budget 2019, numerous other developments in the sector made the headlines during the month.
Industry
PMPML gets 150 electric buses under Fame-II scheme from central governmentedit
The Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) has been allotted 150 electric buses by the department of heavy industries of the central government under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India scheme (Fame-II), which was launched in March this year.
Tamil Nadu gets 525 e-buses, deal for 300 more almost finaledit
The Union Heavy Industries Ministry sanctioned 525 electric buses for Tamil Nadu on Thursday. Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichy will get 100 buses and smaller cities, including Salem, Erode, Tirupur and Vellore, will get 50 each. Another 25 buses have been earmarked for Thanjavur under Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) in India scheme.
Govt sanctions 5,595 electric buses for 64 cities under FAME IIedit
The Department of Heavy Industry has sanction 5,595 electric buses for 64 cities under the FAME India scheme’s second phase to give a further push to clean mobility in public transportation, according to an official statement released on Thursday.
Hurdles in Bengaluru public places keep electric kick scooters at bayedit
While electric kick scooters has been gaining traction in many foreign cities, the trend is yet to catch up in Bengaluru. Globally, stand-up foldable electric kick scooters have seen a rise in popularity as it is convenient for last-mile connectivity. But high cost, lack of electric-charging stations, clogged roads, absence of wide pavements and good-quality roads are the reasons for the poor response here, said experts.
Inverted duty on EVs to hamper growth, needs correctionedit
Despite getting relief on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) front, electric vehicle (EV) makers feel an inverted duty structure could impede growth. The manufacturers have sought a correction so that the overall cost of vehicles could be brought down to push the EV industry which is presently at a nascent stage in the country.
Competition
Tough FAME II norms see only 70 OEMs qualifyedit
As is known, second phase of the FAME (Faster Adoption Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India) India Scheme kicked in on March 1, 2019 and saw the government earmark a bigger budget outlay of Rs 10,000 crore to accelerate adoption of EVs. Exactly four months since then, the FAME II norms are turning out to he challenging for most companies, which were earlier benefitting from incentives under the first phase of the FAME Scheme.
Anand Mahindra: Investments can make India a global electric vehicle hubedit
There is a tectonic shift in the auto industry, and the time is right for a shift to electric vehicles, Anand Mahindra, chairman, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd said in his address to shareholders at M&M’s 73rd annual general meeting, where the dominant theme was electric vehicles.
International
General Motors partners with EV Connect for EV chargingedit
American auto manufacturer General Motors has joined hands with EV Connect to improve the charging experience for the Chevrolet Bolt EV drivers by providing dynamic charging station data, including insights on station status, informs the company in a release.
Glencore and the perils of riding the electric vehicle tiger: Andy Homeedit
Glencore has “a key role to play in enabling the transition to a low-carbon economy,” according to Chief Executive Officer Ivan Glasenberg, writing in the company’s 2018 annual report. Glencore’s “well-positioned portfolio” includes metals at the heart of the electric vehicle (EV) revolution such as copper, cobalt and nickel.