Telangana rolls out EV discount scheme for Govt Staff

metro india news  I hyderabad

In a major initiative aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), the Telangana government has introduced India’s first state-negotiated EV discount scheme exclusively for government employees. Announced by Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, the initiative offers discounts of up to 20% on electric two wheelers and four wheelers, enabling potential savings of up to Rs 4 lakh per family. The scheme is expected to benefit over five lakh state government employees.

This pioneering move goes beyond conventional EV incentives such as tax exemptions, as the state government directly negotiated with leading EV manufacturers including Mahindra Electric, Ola Electric, Gravton Motors, and Ather Energy to secure exclusive price reductions under a bulk institutional framework. Notably, the scheme does not involve any direct budgetary subsidy, making it a financially sustainable model.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister Ponnam Prabhakar stated that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to making EVs more affordable, accessible, and practical for everyday use. He emphasized that promoting EV adoption among government employees would act as a catalyst for wider societal transition toward clean mobility. “When our government fleet goes electric, everyone breathes cleaner air. This is governance that serves both people and the planet,” he said.

The scheme builds upon Telangana’s progressive EV policy introduced in 2024, under which the government provided 100% exemption from road tax and registration fees for electric vehicles across categories, including private vehicles, taxis, autorickshaws, and buses. With the addition of manufacturer discounts, EV ownership in Telangana is now among the most affordable in the country.

The initiative follows a directive from Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy mandating that all government departments procure only electric vehicles going forward. Even vehicles hired within urban areas are required to be electric, reinforcing the state’s commitment to sustainable transport. Telangana already operates over 2,800 electric buses, marking significant progress in public transport electrification.

To further support EV adoption, the government plans to expand charging infrastructure across the state, from the Secretariat to district and mandal offices, along with public parking spaces. Private stakeholders such as malls, hotels, and commercial establishments are also being encouraged to install charging stations.

Additionally, the government is exploring the retrofitting of nearly one lakh auto rickshaws with electric kits to curb vehicular pollution. With these comprehensive measures, Telangana aims to emerge as a national leader in green mobility, fostering both environmental sustainability and industrial growth in the EV sector.