Subsidy deadline may be extended for electric-two-wheelers; PM E-Drive scheme needs more funds

New Delhi: The Ministry of Heavy Industries is considering extending subsidies for domestically manufactured electric two-wheelers beyond July 31, which would require additional budgetary support as funds under the ₹10,900-crore PM E-Drive scheme have already been committed, officials said.

The quantum of subsidy for domestically manufactured electric-two-wheelers (e2w) is likely to stay the same at around ₹5,000 per vehicle.

India has registered sales of 2.7 million e2w, against the PM E-Drive target of 2.5 million, launched in September 2024. The industry has also sold 297,000 electric-three-wheelers against a target of 289,000.

“Proposals to extend subsidies for e2w are under consideration,” a senior official told ET.

The Centre earmarked ₹1,772 crore for subsidising e2w manufactured in the country under the PM E-Drive scheme. According to official estimates, ₹1,259.91 crore was spent for subsidising e2w till March-end. Another ₹907 crore was earmarked for electric three wheelers (e3w) of which ₹737.35 crore was spent. Electric buses have got the largest share of subsidy allocation under PM E-Drive with ₹4,391 crore earmarked in the scheme for deploying 14,028 electric buses across large cities. Of these, the procurement process for 13,800 buses has concluded, comprising 10,900 buses under the first tender and 2,900 buses under the second.

“All funds provisioned in the PM E-Drive scheme have been committed,” the official said.