Centre Launches Application Portal for Electric Passenger Car Manufacturing Scheme

New Delhi: The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has officially launched the application portal for the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI), marking a significant milestone in the country’s green mobility mission. The online portal—spmepci.heavyindustries.gov.in—will remain open for applications from 10:30 AM on June 24, 2025, until 6:00 PM on October 21, 2025.

The scheme, originally notified on March 15, 2024, and further detailed through guidelines issued via Notification No. S.O. 2450(E) dated June 2, 2025, aims to position India as a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing by incentivizing large-scale investments from international and domestic automotive players.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, while inaugurating the portal, described the initiative as a transformative step toward clean and self-reliant mobility. “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, this scheme is a defining moment for India’s journey toward Net Zero by 2070. It not only encourages investments but also supports our ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ goals, reaffirming India’s place on the global map for automotive innovation,” he said.

The SPMEPCI scheme offers a compelling framework for investment by allowing approved applicants to import completely built-up electric four-wheelers (CBUs) with a minimum CIF value of USD 35,000 at a reduced customs duty of 15% for a five-year period from the date of approval. In return, applicants must commit to a minimum investment of ₹4,150 crore and adhere to strict domestic value addition (DVA) targets.

By creating an enabling policy environment, the government aims to attract global EV manufacturers while simultaneously strengthening indigenous capabilities through phased manufacturing programs. The scheme is also expected to generate employment opportunities and catalyse growth across the EV supply chain.

Both the notification and detailed guidelines for the scheme are available on the Ministry of Heavy Industries’ official website: https://heavyindustries.gov.in/scheme-promote-manufacturing-electric-passenger-cars-india-0.