EV sales jump 157 percent in Maharashtra: Here’s why

Back in July 2021, the state of Maharashtra rolled out a comprehensive EV policy, in a bid to accelerate the adoption of EVs. It has now been revealed that, as a result of the policy, EV sales have gone up by as much as 157 percent. The government has also stated that it has set up a separate EV cell for Mumbai. 

• 24,215 EVs registered in Mumbai after the policy rolled out

• New Mumbai EV cell launched

• BEST’s bus fleet to be fully electric by 2027

Maharashtra EV policy 2021: sales and subsidy details

Maharashtra’s Cabinet Minister of Tourism and Environment Aaditya Thackeray stated on Instagram that EV registrations in the state jumped up by 157 percent after the 2021 EV policy was rolled out. 

In Mumbai alone, 7,400 EVs were registered in 2019-2020, which went up to 9,461 EVs in 2020-2021. After the government rolled out the policy in July 2021, 24,215 electric vehicles have been registered, Thackeray said.

Under the 2021 EV policy, the Maharashtra government offers an incentive of Rs 5,000 per kWh of the vehicle battery capacity. For two-wheelers and three-wheelers, the maximum incentive has been capped at Rs 10,000 and Rs 30,000, respectively.

Meanwhile, for four-wheelers, the maximum incentive is capped at Rs 1.50 lakh. Buyers were also eligible for early bird incentives (on purchase of vehicle before December 31, 2021) and several other benefits. The aim of the policy is for EVs to contribute to 10 percent of new vehicle registrations – or 3,00,000 EVs – a year by 2025.

Under the early bird scheme, India’s most affordable mass-market electric car, the Tigor EV, saw its price go down by as much as Rs 2.30 lakh. Meanwhile, select Nexon EV variants could be had with incentives of up to Rs 2.50 lakh under this scheme. The Nexon EV currently has a six-month waiting period and the Tigor EV can be delivered in just over a month, according to dealer sources. 

New Mumbai EV cell

Thackeray also revealed that Mumbai now has its own EV cell, which will look to accelerate EV adoption in the city. Called the Mumbai EV Cell, it is a joint initiative by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and World Resources Institute (WRI). The cell will comprise government officials, e-mobility experts and industry stakeholders, and will assist in “creating a charging network, supporting battery development and market penetration.”

Thackeray also said that efforts were being made to increase EVs in public transport. “We are swiftly working towards electrifying BEST’s fleet. Currently, 386 BEST buses are electric and will soon touch 50 percent by 2023 and 100 percent before 2027,” he added.

Do you think Maharashtra’s EV policy has been a success so far? Let us know in the comments section.