Court says govt to add hydrogen fuel cell vehicles & infrastructure in FAME II scheme

In an attempt to promote and bring hydrogen-based vehicles and infrastructure, the Delhi High Court has directed the Government of India to consider hydrogen fuel cell-based electric vehicles and hydrogen refuelling stations under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) scheme. To bring the hydrogen fuel-based vehicles and infrastructure under FAME-II the bench was hearing public interest litigation (PIL) filed in March this year by advocate Ashwini Kumar.

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles

Mr Kumar had requested the court to direct the government to allocate the part of the unused amount under the FAME II scheme for the promotion of hydrogen fuel cell-based vehicles and develop the required infrastructure.

The court in its order stated that it lacks the experience to make a policy in the hydrogen-based vehicles and their infrastructure. However, noting that the bench is not relinquishing its duty of scrutinizing whether the policy is in keeping with Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. Article 14 of the Constitution reads “The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.”

The court said, “While exercising the power of judicial review, it must be kept in mind that court cannot direct, advise or sermonize the executive in matters of policy framing, which is purely the domain of the executive under the doctrine of separation of powers.”

FAME II Scheme

The FAME II scheme aims to promote and encourage domestic manufacturing and create a market for EVs in India and decrease the dependency on internal combustion engine vehicles and foster alternative fuels’ growth.

It has launched to encourage early adoption and to create a market for both hybrids and EVs. The central government approved a subsidy of ₹55 billion to be disbursed under the FAME program’s second phase. In March 2019, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal to implement the second phase of the program to promote electric mobility in the country.

Also read: Gazette Notification For FAME India Scheme Phase-II

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