Electric vehicles may get cheaper as centre announces custom duty exemption on batteries

The Central government on Wednesday said that to further provide impetus to green mobility, custom duty exemption is being extended to the import of capital goods and machinery required for manufacture of lithium-ion cells for batteries used in electric vehicles — a move hailed by the EV industry players. Also Read: Tata Harrier EV Review - India's Own EV SUV for the Future!

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Union Budget 2023-24 speech said that subsidies on EV batteries will be extended for one more year, hence making EVs cheaper in the country. Also Read: Tesla Officially Debuts the Model Y in India With a Premium Price Tag

In May 2023, the government unveiled the Production-Liked Incentive (PLI) scheme for manufacturing batteries. Also Read: China proposes more restrictions on battery and mineral tech

To be eligible for the Rs

Rs 26,058 crore incentives under the PLI scheme for the EV industry, an automaker must have a global revenue of at least Rs 10,000 crore and have a minimum investment of Rs 3,000 crore in fixed assets.

The EV industry and battery players hailed the government’s move.

“The proposed Customs duty exemptions on the import of capital goods and machinery required for the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries bring in a new lease of life for all battery manufacturers,” said Pankaj Sharma, Co-Founder and Director of Log9 Materials.

He added that the move would help accelerate the country’s production capacity and give much-needed momentum to its vision to become self-sufficient in its EV needs.

Nirmal K. Minda, Chairman and Managing Director of Uno Minda Ltd, said the Rs 35,000 crore fund to support green projects would significantly boost India’s net-zero goals.

“We look forward to understanding the FM’s proposal to reduce the basic Customs duty on some goods from 21%to 13%, including lithium and ion cell batteries used in EVs,” he said.

As the electric vehicle (EV) adoption grows in India, the electric two-wheeler sales volume in the country is likely to reach 22 million by 2030.

According to the latest report by Redseer Strategy Consultants, the electric two-wheeler market is expected to be over 80% of the overall two-wheeler market by 2030.

Kalyan C. Korimerla, MD and Co-Promoter, Etrio Automobiles, said that the pro-EV budget focuses on much-needed initiatives such as Customs duty reduction from 21% to 13% on lithium cells and an extension of the subsidies on EV batteries for one more year.

“These are welcome initiatives as these will help boost the demand. The policy on the replacement of old polluting vehicles should accelerate the transition towards electric vehicles, which is in line with the budget’s aim to spur eco-conscious lifestyles,” said Korimerla.

—IANS