Electric Vehicles: Set uniform safety standards

For the first time, India is set to begin testing electric vehicles (EV) on April 1 next year.

The Government has mandated the Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to procure the infrastructure needed to test battery-powered vehicles.
This comes amid concerns over multiple instances of fires in electric two-wheelers and four-wheelers in recent months.

About
- An EV operates on an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine and has a battery instead of a fuel tank.
EVs in India:
- As of June 2022, India had over 1.3 million electric vehicles — 50% of which are three-wheelers, a bulk of the remaining vehicles being two-wheelers, with four-wheelers making up the rest.
The FAME India Scheme:
- The FAME India Scheme is aimed at incentivising all vehicle segments i.e. 2 Wheeler, 3 Wheeler Auto, Passenger 4 Wheeler Vehicle, Light Commercial Vehicles and Buses.
- The scheme was implemented and overseen by the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.
- The scheme covers Hybrid and Electric technologies like Mild Hybrid, Strong Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid & Battery Electric Vehicles.
- Monitoring Authority: Department of Heavy Industries.
- FAME focuses on 4 areas:
  - Technology development,
  - Demand Creation,
  - Pilot Projects and
  - Charging Infrastructure.

About
- It is the leading automotive R&D organisation in the country set up by the Automotive Industry with the Government of India.
Foundation:
- It was established in 1966. It is an autonomous body affiliated with the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
Functions:
- The ARAI currently offers certification and homologation services for automotive vehicles, systems, and components.
- It also assists the government in the formulation of automotive industry standards and harmonisation of regulations, alongside helping establish vehicle inspection and certification centres across the country.

Content Source: Indian Express