Odisha charts aggressive EV course with stakeholder meeting for EV Policy 2.0
The Odisha government convened a high-level stakeholder consultation to finalize its upcoming EV Policy 2.0, intensifying its push toward green mobility. The meeting, led by the Commerce & Transport and Energy Departments, was chaired by Principal Secretaries Usha Padhee and Vishal Kumar Dev. Pragativadi
Officials set an ambitious target: by 2036, at least 50 percent of all new vehicle registrations in the state should be Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), up sharply from just 1.16 percent in 2021. To support this shift, the government plans to significantly expand public charging infrastructure: Odisha already has over 550 public charging stations, and the revised policy aims to scale this further, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.
The consultation explored key measures such as:
- Enhanced purchase incentives for EV buyers
- Incentives for Charge Point Operators (CPOs), including first-come-first-served budget allocations
- A dedicated state EV fund financed through levies on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles
- Retro-fitting and scrappage benefits for older vehicles
- Strengthening coordination across departments and creating capacity-building pathways for stakeholders.
Range anxiety, a major barrier to EV adoption, was also addressed: policymakers plan to speed up the PCS (public charging station) rollout, particularly in dense and peri-urban zones. Furthermore, the state government wants to leverage central funding via the PM e-DRIVE scheme to support both infrastructure and buyer incentives.
This strategy aligns with Odisha Vision 2036, which envisions a large-scale transition to electric and alternative-fuel vehicles across the state.
Editor’s View
Odisha’s push for EV Policy 2.0 signals more than ambition; it shows a methodical, data-led roadmap to reshape its transport future. By targeting 50 percent BEV registrations by 2036, the state is not just chasing green credentials; it’s betting on electric mobility as an engine for industrial growth and emissions reduction.
In the context of the tyre industry, this shift matters. If Odisha really accelerates EV adoption, demand for EV-specific tyres (lighter, low-rolling-resistance models) could increase substantially. It could also drive demand for public- and fleet-service segments like buses and three-wheelers, all of which use different tyre profiles than ICE vehicles.
The planned EV fund and incentives for charging infrastructure suggest that Odisha is serious about enabling both sides of the EV ecosystem: supply and demand. But execution will be key, charging density must improve, especially in semi-urban areas, and incentives must be accessible to all income groups.
If Odisha gets EV Policy 2.0 right, the state could become a template for other Indian states: combining industrial opportunity, cleaner transport, and long-term sustainability in one strategic play.
