Shillong: The Meghalaya government has approved the Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2026, introducing financial incentives of up to Rs 25,000 and a complete waiver of vehicle registration charges to encourage the adoption of electric mobility across the state, officials said on Monday.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
Announcing the Cabinet’s decision, Cabinet Minister Marcuise N. Marak said the policy is aimed at promoting environmentally sustainable transportation while accelerating the transition from conventional fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles.
“The government is committed to promoting the use of electric vehicles. Under the new policy, buyers of electric vehicles will receive an incentive of around Rs 25,000, and registration charges will be completely waived. Anyone opting to purchase an electric vehicle will be eligible for these benefits,” Marak told reporters after the meeting.
He said the policy has been designed to encourage wider public participation in the shift towards clean mobility and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
According to the minister, Meghalaya currently has more than 5,000 electric vehicles on its roads, and the government expects the newly approved incentives to significantly increase the number of EV users in the coming years.
Marak said the policy provides separate incentive structures for different categories of electric vehicles, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers, with benefits tailored to each segment.
He added that the state government also intends to strengthen the supporting ecosystem for electric mobility by facilitating the development of charging infrastructure across Meghalaya.
Responding to queries on charging facilities, the minister expressed confidence that the required infrastructure would be expanded without major hurdles.
“Setting up charging stations will not be difficult. We are confident that the necessary infrastructure can be developed to support the growing number of electric vehicles,” he said.
The approval of the Electric Vehicle Policy 2026 marks another step in Meghalaya’s efforts to promote sustainable transportation and reduce carbon emissions in line with the country’s broader clean energy objectives.
Officials said the policy is expected to encourage more residents to switch to electric vehicles by reducing the initial purchase cost and eliminating registration expenses, while also contributing to a cleaner and greener transport ecosystem in the state.
(IANS)
