PM E-DRIVE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The Union Cabinet approved a new scheme PM E-DRIVE to promote electric vehicles in India. 

PM E-DRIVE:

• Full form: PM Electric Drive Revolution In Innovative Vehicle Enhancement.
• Replace: It will replace the existing FAME programme that ran for nine years till March.
• Nodal Agency: Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI)
• Features:

oIt will subsidise electric two wheelers, three wheelers, and buses. Hybrid ambulances and electric trucks will also be aided under it.

oThe scheme does not cover incentives for e-cars. It has also excluded hybrid cars contrary to expectations.

oThe govt will offer e-vouchers for EV buyers to avail demand incentives under the scheme. At the time of purchase of the EV, the scheme portal will generate an Aadhaar-authenticated e-Voucher for the buyer.

• Significance: This entire programme will be a big help in having sustainable growth and making sure that our country progresses rapidly on the electric vehicles movement.

oAt present, the majority of buses operated by PTAs run on diesel/CNG, causing adverse environmental impact.

PM-eBus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) Scheme

• About: Its goal is to improve efficiency in urban transportation and advocate for environmentally friendly practices.
• Coverage: The scheme will cover cities of Three lakh and above population as per census 2011 including all the Capital cities of Union Territories, North Eastern Region and Hill States. 
• Two Segments:
• Segment A – Augmenting the City bus services: (169 cities)
• Segment B– Green Urban Mobility Initiatives (GUMI): (181 cities).