Even though electric vehicles, particularly two-wheelers, have been in the market for at least a decade, the uptakes had not been significant despite the subsidies rolled out by state and central governments. However, with growing awareness, the emergence of technologically Sound and efficient vehicles, and the creation of charging , the demand forelectric vehicleshas grown substantially inGujarat.
Riding on increased demand, the state is gradually building a sound ecosystem for manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs). Gujarat is already Home to automobile giants such asTata Motors, Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India Limited, Hero Two-wheelers, and Suzuki Motor Corporation.
Moreover, the demand for EVs is rising across the country as well. New players have entered the field, the established ones are doing robust business, a policy push from the state and central governments is offering sizable subsidies, and startups are driving innovations in EV manufacturing. These factors have led to the setting up of a wholesome EV ecosystem in Gujarat.
In July 2021, the Government of Gujarat announced an EV policy. The policy has fuelled optimism not just in dealers but in manufacturers too. The Gujarat Electric Vehicle Policy 2021 provides a subsidy of up to Rs 20,000 for EVs in the two-wheeler category, Rs 50,000 for three-wheelers, and up to Rs 1.5 lakh for cars. Over and above this, the central government has extended subsidies under Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME)-II. The amount of subsidy is based on the battery capacity.