The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the 'PM E-Drive Scheme' with an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore to promote the use of electric vehicles in the country. This scheme, brought for two years, will replace the 'FAME' program which was in force till March 2024. The FAME program, which ran for nine years, was run for the accelerated implementation and manufacturing of hybrid and electric vehicles. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnav told reporters here that in a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was decided to bring the 'PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement' (PM E-Drive) scheme. The scheme will support 24.79 lakh electric two-wheelers, 3.16 lakh e-three-wheelers and 14,028 e-buses. 

Charging stations will also be provided support.

Vaishnaw said that support will also be provided to 88,500 charging stations under the PM e-Drive scheme. The new scheme offers a subsidy/demand incentive of Rs 3,679 crore for the adoption of electric two-wheelers, electric three-wheelers, e-ambulances, e-trucks, and other emerging electric vehicles (EVs). An amount of Rs 4,391 crore has been earmarked for the purchase of 14,028 electric buses by state transport undertakings and public transport agencies under the scheme. 

Funds were also given for e-ambulance 

Apart from this, Rs 500 crore has been set aside for the deployment of e-ambulances. This is a new initiative of the government to increase the use of e-ambulances for comfortable transportation of patients. Vaishnav said that an amount of Rs 500 crore has also been provided in the PM e-Drive scheme for the adoption of electric trucks.