News, 1 May 2025
The Maharashtra government has approved an updated Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy designed to expedite the state’s shift toward cleaner transportation. The revised policy includes enhanced subsidies for passenger EVs, toll fee exemptions for certain categories of EVs throughout the state etc. These initiatives form part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce vehicular emissions, enhance green mobility infrastructure, and establish Maharashtra as a frontrunner in sustainable transportation. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the cabinet’s approval of this new electric vehicle policy.
The policy is set to be in effect until 2030 and has an allocated budget of ₹1,993 crore. Some of the key new features of the Maharashtra EV Policy 2025:
- Enhanced Purchase Subsidies: The policy offers significant concessions on the original cost of electric vehicles across various categories to make them more affordable. This includes a 10% concession for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, private four-wheelers, state transport corporation buses, private buses, and transport undertakings under civic bodies. A higher concession of 15% is provided for electric goods-carrying three-wheelers and four-wheelers, as well as electric tractors.
- Toll Waivers: A major incentive is the complete waiver of toll charges for electric four-wheeler vehicles and buses on key expressways in Maharashtra, including the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Atal Setu (Mumbai Trans Harbour Sea Link), and the Samruddhi Mahamarg (Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway). Additionally, these vehicles will receive a 50% concession on tolls when plying on other state and national highways under the Public Works Department’s jurisdiction.
- Exemption from Road Tax and Registration Fees: All electric vehicles sold and registered within Maharashtra during the policy period will be exempt from motor vehicle tax and fees for registration certificates or their renewal.
- Robust Charging Infrastructure Development: The policy emphasizes the expansion of charging infrastructure throughout the state. There are plans to establish EV charging facilities at a distance of every 25 kilometers on national highways. The government will also collaborate with oil marketing companies to set up charging points at existing and new fuel stations wherever technically feasible.
- Incentives for Charging Infrastructure Providers: The policy includes provisions to support public charging operators, including viability gap funding for setting up new charging stations.
- Mandatory Charging Infrastructure in Buildings: New housing projects are mandated to include space for EV charging stations in their design, and a percentage of parking lots in commercial establishments (new and existing) must be reserved for EV charging.
- Support for Battery Recycling: The urban development department will create specific zones in dumping yards and solid waste management areas for the recycling of old EV batteries.
- Promotion of EV Manufacturing: The policy aims to position Maharashtra as a leading hub for EV manufacturing in India by incentivizing both the production and consumption of electric vehicles.
- Clean Mobility Transition Model: The policy is based on a Clean Mobility Transition Model, which focuses on a holistic approach encompassing infrastructure expansion, environmental sustainability, economic growth, energy security, and renewable energy integration.
- Inclusion of More Vehicle Categories for Incentives: The number of vehicle categories eligible for state incentives has been increased significantly to include a wider range of commercial vehicles like trucks, utility vehicles used by corporations and municipal corporations, trailers, dumper trucks, and agri-trailers.
- Regulations for App-based Mobility Services: The policy includes updated rules for app-based vehicle aggregators, requiring them to comply with safety standards, real-time GPS tracking, emergency contact integration, driver background verification, mandatory insurance coverage, and provisions for women passengers to opt for women-only rides in ride-pooling services.19 These aggregators must also comply with cybersecurity standards.
The Maharashtra EV Policy 2025 takes a multi-pronged approach to accelerate EV adoption by providing financial incentives, building a strong charging network, creating a supportive regulatory environment, and encouraging the local manufacturing ecosystem.
