FAME India Scheme Phase-II: Progress in Electric Vehicle Adoption and Charging Infrastructure

1. At a Glance

• FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India, Phase-II) is the Centre's flagship demand-incentive scheme for e-mobility, implemented by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) from 01.04.2019 to 31.03.2024 with ₹11,500 crore budgetary support [1].
• It subsidized e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-4Ws, e-buses, and EV public charging infrastructure — directly relevant to India's climate commitments and urban mobility/pollution debates. [1]
• Now succeeded by a suite of newer schemes (PM E-DRIVE, PM e-Bus Sewa, PLI-Auto), making it a key "predecessor scheme" comparison topic for Prelims/Mains. [1]

2. Why in the News

• PIB Delhi released a consolidated progress update on FAME-II and associated EV/charging schemes on 12 Aug 2026, citing cumulative achievements and current charging infrastructure numbers (as of Aug 2026). [1]

3. Background & Evolution

• Origin: FAME India Scheme formulated by the Department of Heavy Industry as part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020, launched in 2015. [2]
• FAME-I: launched for 2 years from 01.04.2015, extended to 31.03.2019; budget outlay ₹895 crore; four focus areas — Demand Creation, Technology Platform, Pilot Project, Charging Infrastructure; supported ~2.78 lakh xEVs (₹343 crore demand incentives) and 465 buses. [2]
• FAME-II: launched 01.04.2019, ran to 31.03.2024; budget ₹11,500 crore. [1]
• Post-FAME-II schemes: PLI-Auto (₹25,938 crore, notified 23.09.2021), PM E-DRIVE (₹10,900 crore, target 28.30 lakh EVs incl. e-trucks/e-ambulances, notified 29.09.2024), PM e-Bus Sewa PSM (₹3,435.33 crore, 38,000+ buses, notified 28.10.2024). [1]

4. Core Static Facts

Parameter	Detail
Implementing Ministry	Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) [1]
FAME-II duration	01.04.2019 – 31.03.2024 [1]
FAME-II budget	₹11,500 crore [1]
Vehicles supported	~16.72 lakh EVs (e-2W, e-3W, e-4W) [1]
E-buses deployed	5,299 (as of 31.07.2026) [1]
EVPCS budget	₹912.50 crore [1]
EVPCS installed under FAME-II	9,583 [1]
Total nationwide chargers	67,657 (as of 07.08.2026), incl. 1,139 battery-swapping stations [1]
GST on EVs/chargers	Reduced to 5% [1]
Non-fiscal incentives	Green license plates, permit exemptions, state-level road tax waiver advisory [1]
Origin	NEMMP 2020, Dept. of Heavy Industry, 2015 [2]

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• Demand-incentive model directly subsidized vehicle purchase cost, aiming to bridge EV-ICE price parity; PLI-Auto (₹25,938 crore) extends this into manufacturing/localisation. [1]
• Shift from FAME-II's ₹11,500 crore to PM E-DRIVE's ₹10,900 crore signals continued but restructured fiscal support post-2024. [1]

Environmental

• Charging infrastructure expansion (67,657 chargers nationwide) targets range-anxiety, a key barrier to emission reduction from transport sector. [1]

Administrative

• Oil Marketing Companies (IOCL, BPCL, HPCL) roped in as implementing partners for public fast-charging stations — an inter-ministerial/PSU convergence model (MHI + Petroleum PSUs). [historical, PIB PRID 1911394/1984097]
• Charging stations sanctioned across metros, million-plus cities, MoHUA-notified smart cities, hilly states, highways, and expressways — indicating a phased, tiered rollout strategy. [historical, PIB PRID 1808115]

Scientific/Technological

• Introduction of battery-swapping stations (1,139 nationally) as an alternative to fixed charging, relevant to two/three-wheeler segment technology debates. [1]

Governance

• Scheme succession (FAME-I → FAME-II → PM E-DRIVE/PM e-Bus Sewa) reflects periodic policy redesign rather than open-ended subsidy continuation. [1]

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 29.09.2024: PM E-DRIVE scheme notified (₹10,900 crore, 28.30 lakh EV target). [1]
• 28.10.2024: PM e-Bus Sewa – Payment Security Mechanism (PSM) notified (₹3,435.33 crore, 38,000+ buses). [1]
• 12.08.2026: PIB progress update consolidating FAME-II outcomes and current charging infrastructure status. [1]

7. Prelims Hooks

• FAME-II implemented by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, not MoEFCC or MNRE. [1]
• FAME-II duration: 01.04.2019 to 31.03.2024; budget ₹11,500 crore. [1]
• FAME-I duration: 01.04.2015, extended to 31.03.2019; budget ₹895 crore. [2]
• FAME derives from NEMMP 2020 (2015). [2]
• FAME-II supported ~16.72 lakh EVs and 5,299 e-buses. [1]
• ₹912.50 crore earmarked for EV Public Charging Stations (EVPCS) under FAME-II; 9,583 EVPCS installed. [1]
• Total chargers nationwide (Aug 2026): 67,657, including 1,139 battery-swapping stations. [1]
• GST on EVs and EV chargers stands at 5%. [1]
• Successor schemes: PM E-DRIVE (₹10,900 crore) and PM e-Bus Sewa PSM (₹3,435.33 crore), both notified in 2024. [1]
• PLI-Auto scheme (₹25,938 crore) notified 23.09.2021 for advanced automotive tech manufacturing. [1]
• FAME-I supported 2.78 lakh xEVs and 465 buses. [2]
• FAME-II fast-charging stations sanctioned to OMCs (IOCL, BPCL, HPCL) — a PSU-Ministry convergence, not a private-sector-only rollout. [historical, PIB]

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III: Infrastructure; Energy; Science & Technology — indigenization of technology; Environment — climate change mitigation, sustainable development.
• GS-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors.
• Sample stems:
• "Discuss the role of the FAME India Scheme in India's transition to electric mobility. Examine the adequacy of charging infrastructure development under Phase-II." (GS-III)
• "Electric vehicle adoption in India is as much an infrastructure challenge as a demand-incentive one. Critically analyse with reference to FAME-II and its successor schemes." (GS-III)
• "Evaluate the shift from subsidy-based EV promotion (FAME) to production-linked incentives (PLI-Auto) in India's industrial policy." (GS-III)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 — the parent policy framework FAME originates from.
• PM E-DRIVE Scheme — direct successor to FAME-II.
• PM e-Bus Sewa (PSM) — e-bus focused successor scheme.
• PLI Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components — manufacturing-side complement to demand incentives.
• India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC)/Panchamrit goals — climate targets EV push feeds into.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission — alternative clean-energy transport pathway for comparison.
• Battery swapping policy / Draft Battery Swapping Policy (NITI Aayog) — infrastructure alternative to fixed charging.
• GST Council decisions on EVs — fiscal policy angle.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Confusing implementing ministry — MHI, not Ministry of Power or MNRE (Ministry of Power separately handles charging infra guidelines/tariffs). [1]
• Mixing up FAME-I (₹895 crore, 2015–2019) and FAME-II (₹11,500 crore, 2019–2024) budgets and timelines. [1][2]
• Assuming FAME-II is still active — it ended 31.03.2024; current schemes are PM E-DRIVE and PM e-Bus Sewa. [1]
• Conflating EVPCS count (9,583, FAME-II specific) with total nationwide chargers (67,657, all sources as of Aug 2026). [1]
• Missing the PSU angle — Oil Marketing Companies (IOCL/BPCL/HPCL), not just private players, are major implementers of public fast-charging stations. [historical, PIB]