Hyderabad, March 24 (NationPress) In a significant move to promote electric vehicles (EVs) as a sustainable choice over traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles, the Telangana government announced a new initiative on Tuesday. Under this scheme, government employees can avail themselves of a discount of up to 20 percent on EVs.

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar revealed that this is a pioneering initiative in the nation. The discounts, which apply to both electric two-wheelers and four-wheelers, were secured after extensive discussions with prominent EV manufacturers such as Mahindra Electric, Ola Electric, Gravton Motors, and Ather Energy.

This groundbreaking initiative could lead to savings of up to Rs 4 lakh for each of the approximately 5 lakh government employees in Telangana.

Notably, this is the first time in India that a state government has actively negotiated discounts with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) specifically for its employees to facilitate the purchase of EVs, thus providing a direct financial advantage rather than just conventional tax exemptions.

According to Ponnam Prabhakar, the State is taking proactive steps beyond simply encouraging the transition to EVs. The goal is to make them more affordable, accessible, and practical for daily use, starting with government employees.

“When our government fleet transitions to electric vehicles, it results in cleaner air for everyone in Telangana. This represents governance that benefits both the populace and the environment,” stated Minister Ponnam Prabhakar.

In 2024, the State government had already announced a complete exemption from road tax and registration fees for electric vehicles, covering two-wheelers, four-wheelers, taxis, auto-rickshaws, goods carriers, tractors, and buses, as part of its public EV policy.

“With this additional 20 percent purchase discount, alongside the existing 100 percent exemption from road tax and registration fees, Telangana is making EV ownership among the most economical in the country. By empowering government employees to be early adopters, we are accelerating the shift towards cleaner mobility throughout society,” emphasized Minister Ponnam Prabhakar.

This announcement aligns with a directive from Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, mandating that all government departments exclusively purchase EVs moving forward. Additionally, any vehicles hired by government departments within core urban areas must also be electric, demonstrating Telangana’s commitment to fostering a clean and sustainable transport ecosystem.

Notably, the State already operates over 2,800 electric buses as part of its public transport system.

The minister further mentioned ongoing discussions with leading EV manufacturers, including Tata EV, to expand collaborations and ensure a wider range of choices, enhanced technology, and improved accessibility for consumers in Telangana.

To further promote EV adoption, charging infrastructure will be enhanced throughout the state, from the Telangana Secretariat to district and mandal-level government offices, as well as prominent public parking areas, ensuring convenience for EV users.

Moreover, he has urged hotels, malls, commercial complexes, and public parks to establish EV charging stations, making charging facilities readily available in everyday parking settings.

“We aim to prevent Hyderabad from experiencing pollution levels similar to that of Delhi. Currently, nearly one lakh auto-rickshaws running on petrol, diesel, or gas will be retrofitted with electric kits. Coupled with the introduction of 2,800 EV buses, these initiatives will considerably reduce vehicular pollution and promote cleaner urban transportation,” the minister added.