Maharashtra rolls out new EV policy: No toll, no tax on EVs?

In an effort to hit a 30% EV penetration rate in the state, the Maharashtra government has decided to make EV charging facilities mandatory in new residential buildings, PTI reported on Saturday.

The government resolution declaring the new policy was released by the transport department on Friday. The policy will go into effect on April 1, 2025, and will continue until March 31, 2030. 

The new EV policy of the state government has laid down various incentives, including a subsidy of up to Rs 2 lakh for electric passenger four-wheelers and Rs 20 lakh for electric buses, and various other toll waivers.  The incentives will be extended to one lakh EV two-wheelers, 25,000 EV four-wheelers in the transport category, and 1500 EV private and city buses.

As part of the Clean Mobility Transition Model, the resolution stated that the state hopes to prevent 1000 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 325 tonnes of PM 2.5 emissions from the transportation sector by 2030 by putting this policy into effect.

Furthermore, the resolution also highlighted that EVs will be exempted from Motor Vehicle Tax, registration renewal fees toll exemption on the Mumbai-Pune and Mumbai-Nashik expressways. It further stated that a steering committee led by the chief secretary will decide whether to phase in tax exemptions for EVs on the remaining Public Works Department-managed roadways.

Moreover, Highways will have charging infrastructure built at every 25-kilometre intervals, and every government office parking spot will have at least one EV charging station. Additionally, viability gap funding of up to 15% of the establishment cost will be provided to public charging stations. Every new residential building must include at least one public charging station and be completely equipped for EV charging. According to the new legislation, current business buildings with shared parking must have operable chargers in 20% of their space, while new commercial buildings must set aside 50% of their parking for EV charging.