FAME II, need to be continued: Girish Wagh

New Delhi: Support provided by the government to promote electric and zero emission vehicles through schemes such as FAME II, need to be continued till penetration of such automobiles crosses a particular threshold with a good level of localisation, according to Tata Motors Executive Director Girish Wagh.

There is also a case to consider the extension of the FAME II scheme, which will come to an end next year and include bigger electric buses to avail of subsidy, he said. "The government has done a terrific job to promote, or more than promote I would say, ignite electric vehicle or zero emission vehicle demand. Whether it is FAME phase I, phase II, now PLI and state level incentives, a lot of policy measures, the government has really done a terrific job," he said.

Wagh further said, "So, our expectation would be that the government continues with this till the electric vehicle penetration crosses a particular threshold where there is a good level of localisation. Once you have a particular threshold on the road, the anxiety issues of the customers at large also will get addressed and then I think it will be on its own." He was responding to queries on expectations from the upcoming Union Bugdet. Specific to FAME II, when asked if there is a case to extend the duration of the scheme beyond next year, Wagh said, "I can speak only for my industry. So, yes, I think for buses, it is going to be very important and currently, I think it is also limited to the smaller vehicles."