Bhubaneswar: With Odisha’s existing Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy nearing the end of its extended term, uncertainty has grown among people planning to buy electric vehicles. A major question before buyers is whether they will receive the subsidy if the vehicle is booked before the policy expires but delivered later.
The EV Policy was introduced in 2021 to encourage people to switch to electric vehicles by offering purchase incentives. The five-year policy officially ended on March 31, 2026, but the state government later extended it until the end of September.
Under the policy, buyers were eligible for subsidies of around ₹1 lakh to ₹1.2 lakh for electric cars, while electric scooters were eligible for incentives starting from around ₹20,000, subject to the applicable rules.
Odisha has since witnessed a sharp rise in EV adoption. The state now has more than 15 lakh electric scooters, while the number of electric cars is estimated to be around 1.5 lakh.
However, the growing demand has also created delivery delays. According to the information, some EV buyers currently have to wait nearly two months after booking to receive their vehicles. This has left customers who booked their vehicles well in advance worried about whether the subsidy will remain applicable after the policy period ends.
New EV Policy Still Awaited
The state government had invited suggestions and objections for a new EV Policy in 2024, but no major progress has been reported since then.
The government has continued extending the existing policy while EV registrations keep increasing. With the current policy nearing expiry, buyers are now seeking clarity on subsidy eligibility, particularly for vehicles booked before the deadline but delivered afterward.
There were also plans to develop EV charging stations along national and state highways. However, concerns remain over charging infrastructure and the absence of clear timelines for vehicle repairs and after-sales services.
As demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, people are now awaiting a clear announcement from the Transport Department on the extension of the existing EV Policy or introduction of a new policy.
