The Maharashtra government has approved a new electric vehicle (EV) policy aimed at increasing EV adoption and alleviating range anxiety by developing a comprehensive charging infrastructure. The policy, announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, includes additional subsidies to make EVs more affordable for the general public. The state’s EV policy has seen a significant increase in its budget from Rs 930 crore to Rs 1,995 crore, demonstrating the government’s commitment to sustainable mobility. The new policy expands the number of categories eligible for EV incentives from five to 13, now including heavy commercial vehicles such as private buses, trucks, and utility vehicles used by corporations and municipal bodies. Key features of the policy include exemption from toll taxes for EVs on certain highways, with a 50% rebate on tolls for electric four-wheelers and buses on state and national highways managed by the Public Works Department. All EVs registered in Maharashtra will be exempt from road tax, registration fees, and renewal charges. The government is offering subsidies of up to 10% on the base price for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and non-transport four-wheelers, while electric goods carriers and tractors are eligible for rebates of up to 15%. To address range anxiety, the policy aims to establish a charging station every 25 kilometers, with plans to integrate charging infrastructure at fuel stations through partnerships with oil marketing companies. Municipal corporations are also required to allocate 1% of their annual budgets to EV infrastructure development. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik emphasized the government’s focus on expanding charging networks and production capacity, remaining open to additional incentives if needed in the future.
