Union Minister said the government is set to introduce a vehicle scrappage policy, under which recycling clusters may be established near ports, expressing confidence that India will emerge as the world's leading automobile manufacturing hub in five years.   He said the government has decided to increase the depth of the country's ports by 18 metres, and automobile clusters comprising recycling plants can be set up near the ports. The minister added that the material recycled will be useful for the automobile industry as it will reduce cost of manufacturing cars, buses, and trucks, increasing India's competitiveness in international markets.  "Within five years, India will be the number one manufacturing hub of all cars, buses and trucks, with all fuel, ethanol, methanol, bio-CNG, LNG, electric as well as hydrogen fuel cells," Minister Said.              

Undeterred by Covid-19 outbreak power PSUs'' joint venture EESL plans to ramp up installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in the country during fiscal 2020-21. Accordingly, the company plans to set-up around 2,000 EV charging facilities across the country during this fiscal. At present, it has installed over 300 such charging stations in India. However, some of them have not come online to supply side disruptions caused due to Covid-19 outbreak.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued notification GSR 308(E) dated 22nd May 2020 regarding the emission norms for L7 (Quadricycle) category for BS VI. These norms are applicable from the date of notification. This notification completes the process of BS VI for L, M & N category vehicles in India. The emission norms are in line with EU with WMTC cycle. The procedure for testing is laid down in AIS 137-Part 9.

The Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises (MHIPE) has issued a notification to all the testing agencies under the second phase of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India Phase II (FAME India Phase II).

The notification is for the eligibility under the revised Phased Manufacturing Program (PMP) for xEV components. The xEV (electromotive vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel-cell electric vehicles.

The government will soon frame efficiency parameters for batteries powering electric vehicles (EVs) as it invites bids for setting up giga factories or giant battery plants in India. A high-level panel has been set up under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency to frame performance criteria and efficiency parameters that can help battery swapping in EVs.
The government wants Made in India batteries to be technologically agnostic wherein the efficiency of the cell as well as life cycle is defined.

Government extended the last date of bid submission at GeM portal for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSEs)/ EV chargers by 20th May, 2020.