Odisha Gears Up for EV Policy 2.0, Targets 50% Electric Vehicle Adoption by 2036

Bhubaneswar: In a decisive move toward sustainable and green transportation, the Government of Odisha today held a high-level brainstorming session to shape the forthcoming Odisha Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0. The session, jointly organised by the Commerce & Transport Department and the Energy Department, marks a major push toward accelerating the state’s electric mobility transition.

The meeting was co-chaired by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary, Commerce & Transport Department, and Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary, Energy Department. Senior officials from both departments participated in the discussions, with the goal of refining policy directions to increase EV adoption and support the state’s broader Vision 2036.

During the session, it was resolved that Odisha would target a minimum of 50% Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) registrations among all new vehicle sales by 2036. This ambitious goal marks a significant leap from the state’s modest 1.16% EV registration in 2021 to a current 8.71% as of 20th June 2025, reflecting Odisha’s growing EV momentum.

Officials also reviewed the state’s public charging infrastructure, which currently includes over 550 Public Charging Stations (PCS), established by a mix of two-wheeler OEMs, DISCOMs, and Oil Marketing Companies. The State Transport Authority (STA) has already issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to expand charging stations at key urban and intercity locations.

The revised EV Policy 2.0 will build upon the foundation laid by the 2021 policy, incorporating the following key elements:

• Extended incentives for EV buyers and Charge Point Operators (CPOs), including new state-budgeted subsidies on a first-come-first-serve basis.

• Creation of a dedicated EV fund, possibly through levies on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, to support both adoption and infrastructure development.

• Accelerated rollout of charging stations in urban and semi-urban areas to address range anxiety among potential EV users.

A dual-pronged strategy will be adopted, focusing on both supply-side support (boosting the EV manufacturing ecosystem) and demand-side incentives (enhancing affordability and accessibility for consumers). The state also plans to leverage the Government of India’s PM e-DRIVE scheme to provide financial assistance for EV adoption, with the Commerce & Transport Department already submitting its proposals for inclusion in the scheme’s final guidelines.

As part of Odisha’s broader Vision 2036, the government aims not only for 50% adoption of electric and alternate fuel vehicles but also to position the state as a national model in green mobility and sustainable development.

The session concluded with a shared commitment to adopt an integrated and data-driven approach in shaping EV Policy 2.0, informed by ground-level feedback, inter-departmental insights, and evolving industry trends. The initiative underscores the Odisha government’s resolve to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and drive economic growth through a future-ready mobility ecosystem.