Telangana govt secures up to 20% EV discount for employees

The Telangana government has secured discounts of up to 20 per cent on electric vehicles for over five lakh employees through negotiations with EV manufacturers. The initiative aims to promote clean mobility without burdening the State exchequer.

Hyderabad: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, the Telangana government has secured discounts of up to 20 per cent on electric vehicles (EVs) for its employees, aiming to accelerate the shift to clean mobility.

Announcing it on Tuesday, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the State negotiated directly with major EV manufacturers, including Mahindra Electric, Ola Electric, Gravton Motors and Ather Energy, to bring down purchase costs for government staff.

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The scheme is expected to benefit over five lakh employees, with potential savings reaching up to Rs 4 lakh per family, depending on the vehicle category. “Unlike traditional subsidies, the discount comes through bulk institutional negotiations with manufacturers, placing no direct burden on the State exchequer,” Prabhakar said.

The move comes after the State government’s earlier policy offering 100 per cent exemption on road tax and registration fees for EVs.

Transport Department officials say that the combined benefits could make EV ownership significantly more affordable in the State.

Recently, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had also directed all government departments to prioritise electric vehicles for official use, including hired transport within urban areas.

Meanwhile, the State government also plans to expand charging infrastructure across offices and public spaces, while also encouraging private establishments to install charging stations.