Include battery swapping services under FAME-II scheme, says FICCI

In battery swapping, a fully charged lithium-ion battery replaces a depleted one at a swapping station in few minutes which reduces the time to charge electric vehicles

New Delhi: In an endeavour to encourage the use of Electric Vehicles (EV) especially in two and three-wheeler categories, FICCI has recommended inclusion of battery swapping model of charging under the FAME-II (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles) scheme of Department of Heavy Industry.

In its recent letter addressed to the Department of Heavy Industry, FICCI said, "Battery swapping should be supported under FAME-II scheme to encourage use of these vehicles, especially in the two and three-wheeler categories. The current guidelines of the scheme are not very clear about support for such models. Hence, the need for clarification."

What is the model?

Elaborating on the model, FICCI's Position Paper, said that in battery swapping, a fully charged lithium-ion battery replaces a depleted one at a swapping station in few minutes which reduces the time to charge electric vehicles.
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There are many benefits of this model for 2/3 wheelers.

FICCI calls for additional funding

It is important to bring the aspect of funding/incentives for battery swapping infrastructure services also as a specific item in the guidelines issued by the ministry on March 8. The same incentives offered to set up EV charging stations could be extended to battery swapping services companies as well, said FICCI. As the battery swapping services were not factored earlier in the scheme, this may also require for additional funding in the FAME II policy so as not to curtail the funding that is required for EV charging stations which would be needed for four-wheelers and buses etc, noted FICCI.

The government should provide subsidy for EV with the battery as in FAME-II and allow the same subsidy to Swapping Service Companies. Battery bought by swapping service companies shall have better utilization, which will have a larger impact on the growth of EV.