Telangana govt to ramp up EV procurement, expand charging network

The minister said the government is continuing with its EV policy despite an estimated revenue loss of ₹900 crore.

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Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Tuesday said the state government is stepping up efforts to promote electric vehicle (EV) adoption, including a proposal to procure EVs for 25–50 per cent of government vehicle purchases and expand charging infrastructure across the state.Speaking during Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly, the minister said the government remains committed to reducing pollution and positioning Telangana as a model state for EV adoption. “The government is committed to checking pollution and promoting EVs as a progressive measure. We are also creating awareness among people to make Telangana a role model in EV policy,” he said.To encourage adoption, the state has already implemented 100 per cent exemption on road tax and registration fees for electric vehicles, a move that Prabhakar said has since been followed by other states. Around one lakh electric vehicles were sold in Telangana over the past year, he added.

The minister said the government is continuing with its EV policy despite an estimated revenue loss of ₹900 crore. Companies have also been urged to provide a 20 per cent subsidy to government employees purchasing EVs.

State’s other initiatives for promoting EVs

As part of wider adoption measures, the state is exploring initiatives to encourage the use of electric vehicles in schools and industries such as IT and pharmaceuticals. Under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, 575 electric buses are currently operating in Telangana, while an additional 2,800 electric buses are planned for deployment.Prabhakar said the government has also introduced a vehicle scrappage policy that provides incentives to owners for scrapping old vehicles. Charging infrastructure is being expanded through the Telangana State Renewable Energy Development Corporation (REDCO), including installations in gated communities, tourist destinations, restaurants and district collectorates.He added that legislators could set an example by adopting electric vehicles in their constituencies.