If you are planning to buy an electric scooter or an e-rickshaw, there is good news for you. The Ministry of Heavy Industries has extended the subsidy deadline under the PM E-DRIVE scheme.
Now, the subsidy for electric two-wheelers will be available until July 31, 2026. For e-rickshaws and e-carts, the deadline has been extended even further to March 31, 2028.
This move aims to boost the adoption of electric vehicles in India and encourage more people to shift from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric ones.
Government Data and Targets
According to official data, the government had set aside ₹1,772 crore for electric two-wheelers under the PM E-DRIVE scheme. Out of this, about ₹1,259.91 crore has already been used as subsidies.
The government has also increased its targets. Earlier, the goal was to support 1.4 million electric two-wheelers, but now it has been raised to 2.48 million units.
So far, nearly 1 million electric scooters and bikes have already been sold under the scheme.
Performance of E-Rickshaws and E-Carts
In the electric three-wheeler category, companies have done better than expected. The original sales target was 159,862 units, but actual sales reached 162,981 units, crossing the target.
However, the performance of e-rickshaws and e-carts has been weak. Less than 10% of the target has been achieved in this segment. Because of this, the government has reduced the budget allocation for e-rickshaws from ₹192 crore to ₹50 crore.
Government Focus on Two-Wheelers
Right now, the government is mainly focusing on the electric two-wheeler segment, as it contributes the highest sales volume. At the same time, the sales target for e-rickshaws and e-carts has been slightly increased to 39,034 units.
Extending the subsidy deadline will benefit both buyers and companies. Customers will be able to purchase electric vehicles at lower prices, while manufacturers will get more time to sell existing stock and introduce new models.
