New Delhi: The total registered electric two-wheelers in the country now stands at 28,55,015, with electric four-wheelers at 2,57,169 (as on December 4), the Parliament was informed on Tuesday.  

As per the Vahan portal of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, the total number of electric vehicles (EV) registered in Odisha stands at 1,45,479, with an adoption rate of 1.24 per cent, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel, Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma told the Lok Sabha in a written reply.

“At present, there is no proposal under consideration in the Ministry of Heavy Industries for setting up an auto R&D cluster in the state of Odisha,” the minister informed. The consumers of EVs are incentivised through various government schemes, like the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) Scheme.

The scheme is for a period of five years from April 1, 2019, with a total budgetary support of Rs 11,500 crore. The scheme incentivised e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-4Ws, e-buses and EV public charging stations.

The production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the automobile and auto component industry in India (PLI-Auto) has a budgetary outlay of Rs 25,938 crore. The scheme proposes financial incentives to boost domestic manufacturing of AAT products with a minimum 50 per cent Domestic Value Addition (DVA) and attract investments in the automotive manufacturing value chain.

The PLI scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) was approved with a budgetary outlay of Rs 18,100 crore. The scheme aims to establish a competitive domestic manufacturing ecosystem for 50 GWh of ACC batteries, according to the government.

The PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme has an outlay of Rs 10,900 crore and was notified on September 29, 2024. It is a two-year scheme which aims to support electric vehicles including e-2W, e-3W, e-Trucks, e-buses, e-Ambulances, EV public charging stations and the upgradation of testing agencies.

The Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI) was notified on March 15, 2024, to promote the manufacturing of electric cars in India. This requires applicants to invest a minimum of Rs 4,150 crore and to achieve a minimum DVA of 25 per cent at the end of the third year and a DVA of 50 per cent at the end of the fifth year.

The Ministry of Finance has reduced GST on EVs from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) announced that the battery-operated vehicles will be given green licence plates and be exempted from permit requirements.

MoRTH issued a notification advising states to waive road tax on EVs, which, in turn, will help reduce the initial cost of the EVs. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has also amended the ‘Model Building Bye-Laws’, mandating the inclusion of charging stations in private and commercial buildings.

New Delhi: India has recorded a sharp increase in exports for several key product categories with the country maintaining or improving its rank among the top ten global suppliers, in export values exceeding $1 billion in 2023, according to figures released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Tuesday.  

“From dominating the global market in precious stones to making inroads in advanced sectors like semiconductors and electrical components, India’s export performance reflects the country’s growing economic prowess,” the official statement said.

The country’s strategic focus on electronics and semiconductors has yielded impressive results.

Exports grew from $0.23 billion in 2014 to $1.91 billion in 2023, achieving a global market share of 1.40 per cent and securing the 9th position, a significant jump from 20th in 2014, the official figures show.

“This progress highlights India’s growing role in the global semiconductor supply chain, supported by efforts to enhance domestic manufacturing and innovation,” the statement observed.

In the export of precious and semi-precious stones, India has established itself as the world leader, with its global share surging from 2.64 per cent in 2014 to an astounding 36.53 per cent in 2023.

Exports valued at $1.52 billion highlight India’s centuries-old craftsmanship and adoption of modern technology in gemstone processing.

Exports of parts for electric motors and generators have also shown significant growth, reaching $1.15 billion in 2023, with a global share of 4.86 per cent, elevating India to 6th place from 21 in 2014 globally.

This growth aligns with the rising global demand for renewable energy and electric vehicle components, positioning India as a key supplier in this transformative industry.

The petroleum sector (Petroleum Oils and Oils Obtained from Bituminous Minerals) has seen a dramatic rise, with export values increasing from $60.84 billion in 2014 to $84.96 billion in 2023, capturing a global market share of 12.59 per cent.

This significant leap has propelled India to the position of the second-largest global exporter, driven by advanced refining infrastructure.

The government’s forward-looking initiatives, such as the New Foreign Trade Policy, PLI Schemes, and many others, play a pivotal role in enhancing India’s competitiveness on the global stage.

“As India diversifies its export portfolio and strengthens its global presence, it is poised to achieve its vision of becoming a global economic power by 2047,” the Commerce Ministry said.

In the agrochemical sector, India has achieved notable success, particularly in insecticides, rodenticides, and fungicides.

By 2023, exports reached $4.32 billion, marking a global market share of 10.85 per cent, up from 5.89 per cent in 2014.

Investments in research and development, coupled with compliance with international agricultural standards, have positioned India as the third-largest exporter globally.

This growth underscores India’s pivotal role in supporting sustainable agriculture.

India’s sugar exports have also witnessed exceptional growth, with the country’s share in the global market for cane or beet sugar rising from 4.31 per cent in 2014 to 12.21 per cent in 2023.

Export values reached $3.72 billion in 2023, cementing India’s position as the second-largest sugar exporter.

Strong production bases and favourable agricultural policies have enabled India to cater to growing demand, particularly in Southeast Asia and Africa, strengthening its agricultural economy.

The electronics manufacturing sector has shown significant advancements, reflected in the exports of electrical transformers and related components, which grew from $1.08 billion in 2014 to $2.85 billion in 2023.

India’s global market share increased to 2.11 per cent in 2023, and it is in 10th position, up from 17th in 2014.

India has made remarkable strides in rubber pneumatic tyre exports, which reached $2.66 billion in 2023.

Its global market share rose to 3.31 per cent, securing the 8th position, a notable leap from 14th in 2014.

This growth reflects India’s emphasis on quality, cost competitiveness, and the ability to serve diverse markets, particularly in emerging economies.

Similarly, exports of taps, valves, and similar industrial products reached $2.12 billion in 2023, capturing a 2.16 per cent global market share and earning India the 10th position globally.

Additionally, India’s exports of coal tar distillation products reached $1.71 billion in 2023, capturing a 5.48 per cent global market share and securing 4th place globally showcasing its importance in industrial value chains.

New Delhi: In a boost for local manufacturing, 38 companies have applied for the PLI scheme for white goods (air conditioners and LED lights) with a net committed investment of Rs 4,121 crore in the third round, the government informed on Monday.  

The third round of the online application window ended on October 12 after being open for 90 days from July 15.

According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, about 43 per cent of the new applicants are in the MSME sector which shows the confidence among MSMEs to become part of the value chain of manufacturing of components of ACs and LED lights.

The scheme is expected to bring in investment in the component manufacturing ecosystem of the ACs and LED lights industry to the tune of Rs 11,083 crore and generate about 80,486 direct employment.

The scheme is expected to lead to a total production of components of ACs and LEDs in India of about Rs 1,81,975 crore.

The applicants include eight existing beneficiaries of the PLI scheme for white goods (PLIWG), committing a net incremental investment of Rs 1,285 crore. Thirty new applicants have committed an investment of Rs 2,836 crore proposing to manufacture varieties of critical components of ACs and LED lights across the country.

“Manufacturing clusters are coming up at Noida-Greater Noida in UP, Neemrana and Bhiwadi in Rajasthan, Aurangabad-Pune in Maharashtra, Sanad, Gujarat and Sri City in Andhra Pradesh,” said the ministry.

Six AC manufacturers and 12 component manufacturers are in Sri City. Five additional foreign companies are investing Rs 245 crore, apart from 15 existing companies investing Rs 2,287 crore.

According to the ministry, as regards to the bifurcation between two segments of the PLIWG scheme — ACs and LED lights — 21 applicants have applied for manufacturing components of ACs with a committed investment of Rs 3,679 crore and 18 applicants for components of LED lights with a committed investment of Rs 442 crore.

Several applicants are vendors for large manufacturers such as Daikin, Voltas, Blue Star and LG Electronics in the ACs sector. Similarly, several applicants are suppliers of LED components for large LED lights manufacturers like Surya, Orient, Crompton Greaves, Signify, and Halonix etc.