New Delhi: The heavy industries ministry will consult with the health ministry to promote electric ambulances in India according to officials of the heavy industries. Discussions with the health ministry will cover issues such as the weight of these ambulances, including heavy medical equipment, that will play a pivotal role in deciding how to electrify them while maintaining safety and performance. The final guidelines are expected to be rolled out after these consultations. With a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore, the PM E-Drive scheme aims to sell various electric vehicles, including e-ambulances, at subsidized prices to accelerate the country’s transition to cleaner transport. Out of this, ₹500 crore is for the production of e-ambulances over the next two years, ending FY26.
The Centre had previously said it would collaborate with all stakeholders to notify performance and safety standards of e-ambulances. The PM E-Drive scheme, launched recently to replace the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric (and Hybrid) Vehicles (FAME) programme, is a big leap in India’s push for e-mobility. By offering subsidies to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), the government intends to incentivize affordable electric vehicle sales while ensuring reimbursement for manufacturers on the discounted amounts.
