New Delhi: The Indian government is considering a 30% subsidy on the production cost of electric ambulances to promote local manufacturing, officials revealed. This initiative aims to encourage the transition to environmentally friendly and efficient ambulances while strengthening domestic production capabilities.
The subsidy will be part of the PM E-DRIVE scheme, which was launched on October 1, 2024. The Centre is in the process of finalizing guidelines for incentivizing electric ambulance manufacturing, with funds for the subsidies being allocated from a INR 500 crore budget under the scheme, officials stated.
The PM E-DRIVE initiative, which has a total outlay of INR 10,900 crore for two years, aims to support electric vehicle deployment, including e-ambulances. The safety and performance standards for e-ambulances eligible for the subsidy are being worked out by the ministries of heavy industries, health, and road transport.
Subsidy Details and Eligibility
The subsidy, which could be up to 30% of the cost of producing an electric ambulance, will be linked to the vehicle’s battery capacity. It is expected to help early-stage developers of electric ambulances. These funds will complement support from the National Health Mission (NHM) for e-ambulances.
The focus of the subsidy will be on patient transport, basic, and advanced life support ambulances. However, subsidies will not apply to two-wheelers or other non-ambulance vehicle types.
Future Plans and Industry Impact
The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) expects the domestic industry to develop hybrid engine-powered ambulances for patient transport, along with electric vehicles (EVs) for larger life support ambulances. Currently, around 86,000 ambulances are registered in India, with about 25,000 new vehicles procured annually under the NHM.
E-ambulances, already in operation in countries such as the US, Canada, Germany, the UK, and Japan, typically have a range of 150 to 320 kilometers on a full charge. The Indian government is considering the international experience with these vehicles to shape its approach to e-ambulance deployment in the country.
