Accepting electric vehicle (EV) industry’s plea of allowing extension of validity of FAME II certificates for all vehicle types such as EV two-, three-, and four-wheelers, is welcomed by the industry as it offered relief to OEMs who were unable to clear their inventory due to the current situation.

The earlier deadline of the certification validity was supposed to end on March 31, 2021. As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Department of Heavy Industry, Fame II eligibility certificates issued by testing agencies and approval of models of electric vehicles was valid upto March 31, 2021. All vehicle models approved under this scheme were required to submit revalidation certificate for availing demand incentives under FAME-India Scheme Phase-II.
This extension will help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who were unable to clear their inventory due to the current situation.  

Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in a statement stated, “We appreciate and thank DHI to accept this recommendation of the industry. Such progressive measures would help bolster industry’s confidence to introduce more and more electric models with time. We believe that the scheme is largely on a right track and would result into desirable outcomes in the coming few years.”

“This measure would enable FAME II eligibility certificate of electric models valid for 1 year from each of the model’s last date of certification instead of earlier case of validity which was FY wise. This has been addressed very well by DHI,” noted the SIAM statement.

Meanwhile, Society of Manufacturers Electric Vehicles (SMEV), an association representing Indian EV manufacturers and EV components industry expressed, “We thank the government for accepting our request and extending the validity of FAME II certification for one year from the date of issuance. This measure would provide much relief to OEMs who were unable to sell their inventory till March 31, 2021.”

SMEV also held that they are awaiting the government's decision on the other important policy interventions to support E mobility. Few initiatives that can catalyse a significant growth in electric vehicles are- starting a major EV awareness campaign across India.

“Mandating delivery vehicles to convert to electric and extension of FAME II by another 3 years. An early decision and announcement of these measures would attract investments into the sector and help in the development of the local supply chain, expressed Sohinder Gill, Director General, SMEV.