SC wants govt. to promote EVs amid high air pollution, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court suggested revisiting the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 to promote electric vehicles (EVs) due to worsening air pollution in Delhi.
• Advocate Prashant Bhushan proposed incentives for consumers to switch to EVs, which are currently more expensive than fossil fuel vehicles.
• The court suggested a pilot project for EVs in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
• The petitioner-NGO sought the timely implementation of the Electric Vehicle Policy and Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid & Electric Vehicles (FAME) India scheme.

Detailed Insights:

• The call to revisit NEMMP 2020 comes five years after its implementation, indicating a need to reassess its effectiveness and relevance.
• Incentivizing the adoption of EVs could involve subsidies, tax breaks, or other financial benefits to offset the higher initial cost.
• A pilot project in major cities could provide valuable data on the feasibility and impact of widespread EV adoption.
• The FAME India scheme aims to encourage the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles through financial incentives and infrastructure development.
• Worsening pollution in Delhi prompted a Supreme Court judge to advise lawyers to appear virtually, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Electric Vehicle (EV): A vehicle that uses an electric motor for propulsion, powered by electricity from batteries or other sources.
• NEMMP 2020: A national plan to promote the adoption and manufacturing of electric vehicles in India.
• FAME India Scheme: Government initiative to promote the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles through incentives and infrastructure support.