Andhra Pradesh steps up EV push with new incentives, says Transport Minister Ramprasad Reddy

Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy on Wednesday said the State government was making all-out efforts to promote the use of electric vehicles in the State.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Ramprasad Reddy said through the 2024–29 Sustainable Electric Mobility Policy, the government was providing incentives not only to electric vehicle manufacturers but also to buyers.

A subsidy of up to 5% of the ex-showroom price was being provided on purchase of electric two-wheelers, autos, buses, transport vehicles and tractors, he said, adding that this incentive would be applicable until March 2027.

The Minister said the government was encouraging people to shift towards EVs by providing a five-year exemption from road tax for electric vehicles registered in the State.

In addition, to expand charging infrastructure across the State, incentives of up to 25% of the installation cost, subject to a maximum of ₹3 lakh, were being provided for the establishment of the first 5,000 charging stations.

Pointing out that electric vehicle sales were growing rapidly across India, the Minister said around 2.98 lakh electric vehicles were sold nationwide in August, registering a 52.9% growth, compared with the previous year, which was evidence of the increasing popularity of this sector.

He said the share of EVs in the overall vehicle market had increased from 9.5% to 12.3%, highlighting the growing importance of electric vehicles in the future transportation system.

The TDP-led coalition government in the State was moving forward with the goal of promoting 2 lakh electric two-wheelers, at least 10,000 electric three-wheelers, and 20,000 new electric cars by 2029, while also expanding the use of EVs in public transportation, Mr. Reddy said.

The Minister also said measures such as establishing one electric vehicle charging station for every 30 km, developing e-mobility cities and encouraging startups would contribute to building an environmentally friendly transportation system in the State. “The government is committed to transforming Andhra Pradesh into a leading State in the electric mobility sector in the country,” he said.