The government expects to issue guidelines for demand incentives for electric ambulances under the Rs 10,900-crore PM E-Drive scheme by the end of this year, and vehicles are likely to be eligible for subsidies from early next year, according to senior government officials.
Electric ambulances have been included in the PM E-Drive scheme. The government has allocated Rs 500 crore support the adoption of electric vehicles in the ambulance segment, but the quantum of subsidy and guidelines are yet to be released.
“One electric ambulance has been homologated last month and other OEMs are in the process of making electric ambulances. We expect that by December or January, electric ambulances will be out,” said Hanif Qureshi, additional secretary at the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
“We have consulted with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Road Transport to make the guidelines for electric ambulances in terms of safety and patient care. So, those are under formulation. By the time the electric ambulances are ready, guidelines will be released.”
The PM E-Drive scheme replaced the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicle (FAME) schemes and the temporary Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS). It began on October 1, 2024, and is set to expire on March 31, 2026, unless extended.
Under the scheme, demand incentives worth Rs 3,679 crore have been allocated for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, ambulances and trucks, while Rs 7,171 crore has been set aside to boost the adoption of electric buses, improve public charging infrastructure and upgrade testing infrastructure.
Incentives for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and buses have been in place since last year. However, the guidelines for electric trucks were just released today. Two segments still without clear guidelines are e-ambulances and charging infrastructure, the latter of which is being developed by the Ministry of Power.
The subsidies given on the purchase of electric vehicles are instrumental in driving the early-stage adoption of electric vehicles, as incentives help in reducing the upfront cost of the vehicle.
Force Motors, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra are the major OEMs that manufacture ambulances in India. The one electric ambulance that has been homologated is from Force Motors, and the commercial production of this model is yet to start, the official said. ENDS