India’s EV policy has evolved from FAME-I through FAME-II to PM E-DRIVE (2024). Examine how each successive scheme has shifted focus, and whether India’s current policy architecture is adequate to achieve 30% EV penetration by 2030.

India's EV policy has progressively evolved from incentivising EV adoption to creating a complete domestic electric mobility ecosystem.

Evolution of India's EV Policy

Scheme

Shift in Policy Focus

FAME-I

Stimulated consumer demand through purchase incentives and (2015) demonstration projects. FAME-II Shifted towards ecosystem creation by supporting public (2019) transport electrification, charging infrastructure and localisation, incentivise indigenous EV and battery production, reducing import dependence.

PM E-

Moves towards strategic industrialisation, focusing on e-buses, DRIVE e-trucks, e-ambulances, charging networks, battery manufacturing (2024) and integration with PLI and critical mineral policies.

Still the above architecture faces the following challenges:

• Over 90% of EV sales are two- and three-wheelers, while passenger cars and freight vehicles remain under-electrified.
• India remains heavily dependent on imports of lithium, cobalt and nickel.
• Charging infrastructure is concentrated in metropolitan cities, leaving Tier-II, Tier-III and rural areas underserved.
• End-of-life battery collection and recycling infrastructure is still nascent despite the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022.
• Differences in state EV policies create uneven investment and adoption.
• Concerns over battery safety, resale value and charging time persist.

Therefore, India's EV transition must now move from subsidy-driven adoption to ecosystem-driven transformation, making PM E-DRIVE the foundation of a globally competitive and sustainable electric mobility ecosystem.