UP’s e-bus factory gives new impetus to India’s electric mobility: Kumaraswamy

Union Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, lauded the significant infrastructure improvements in Uttar Pradesh, stating that the state has become a hub for the country’s largest expressway and railway network.

“The inauguration of Ashok Leyland’s electric bus manufacturing unit in Lucknow is a historic step not only for the company but also for the entire country towards sustainable and self-reliant mobility,” he said.

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Kumaraswamy was addressing the inauguration ceremony of Ashok Leyland’s electric bus manufacturing unit in Lucknow on Friday.

The Steel Minister said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has prepared a clear and ambitious roadmap towards realising the goal of net-zero carbon emissions. Simultaneously, the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaigns are being strengthened, especially in the advanced manufacturing sector, which will shape India’s industrial future in the coming years.

He informed that the Government of India, through the Ministry of Heavy Industries, has taken several important initiatives to promote electric vehicles. The FAME-II scheme, with an outlay of ₹11,500 crore, has accelerated the adoption of electric vehicles across the country. Under this scheme, more than 16.71 lakh electric vehicles have been put on the roads so far, and more than 9,000 public charging stations have been sanctioned. Similarly, continuous incentives are being provided for electric vehicles under the PM E-Drive scheme with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore. Under this scheme, more than 20 lakh electric vehicles have been sold so far.

Kumaraswamy said that the PLI Auto scheme, with an outlay of ₹25,938 crore, has been implemented to strengthen the automobile sector, making domestic value addition mandatory. Additionally, the PLI Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) scheme, with an outlay of ₹18,100 crore, aims to develop 50 gigawatt-hours of battery manufacturing capacity in the country, a significant step towards long-term energy security.

He also mentioned the recently approved REMP scheme, which the Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, has sanctioned with a budgetary allocation of ₹70,280 crore. This scheme will promote the indigenous manufacturing of sintered rare earth permanent magnets, which are essential for critical sectors such as electric vehicles, wind energy, defence equipment, and electronics. The Union Minister stated that special attention to the commercial vehicle segment is crucial, as it contributes more than 40 percent to the total pollution from transportation.

Keeping this in mind, a provision of ₹2,000 crore has been made under the PM e-Drive scheme for the establishment of over 70,000 charging stations across the country.

Commending Ashok Leyland, he said that the company has set an example by establishing this state-of-the-art manufacturing unit in a record time of just 18 months.