In a major push to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) adoption and curb pollution, the Telangana government has announced a 100% exemption from road tax and registration fees for all EV purchases.
The initiative, unveiled by Minister for Transport and BC Welfare Ponnam Prabhakar, is part of a comprehensive EV policy that will remain in effect for an initial period of two years, until December 31, 2026.
This policy applies to a wide range of vehicles, including electric two-wheelers, four-wheelers, taxis, three-wheeled autorickshaws, light goods carriers, tractors, and buses.
A special provision offers lifetime tax and fee exemptions for electric buses operated by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) and those used exclusively by industries to transport employees.
Aiming for a Pollution-Free Hyderabad
The Minister emphasized that the move aligns with the government’s commitment to reducing pollution and ensuring Hyderabad does not suffer the severe air quality issues faced by New Delhi.
Highlighting the need for action, Mr. Prabhakar stated that while an EV policy introduced in 2020 was well-intentioned, it lacked proper implementation.
Currently, five out of every 100 vehicles in Telangana are electric, with 1.7 lakh EVs already registered in the state.
The government aims to further boost adoption through enhanced awareness campaigns and financial incentives.
Charging Infrastructure a Priority
A key focus of the new policy is ensuring adequate charging infrastructure.
The government is urging EV manufacturers to establish charging stations across the state to prevent inconvenience for users.
To this end, a meeting involving multiple departments, including Transport, Home, and the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), will be convened within 10 days to streamline efforts.
Learning from Other States
The Minister, alongside Special Chief Secretary (Transport) Vikas Raj and Transport Commissioner Surendra Mohan, visited four states to study their EV policies.
Drawing from these experiences, Telangana has crafted a policy tailored to its specific needs, aiming to position the state as a leader in sustainable mobility.
