Odisha announces full tax exemption for electric vehicles, waives off registration fee

The exemption is valid until 2025 and is awarded under the Odisha Motor Vehicles Taxation Act. Furthermore, the Odisha Electric Vehicle Policy proposes a host of incentives for electric vehicle consumers, makers, batteries, and charging stations.

In compliance with the Odisha Electric Vehicle Policy, 2021, the government has exempted electric cars from all motor vehicle (MV) taxes and registration costs. The exemption is valid until 2025 and is awarded under the Odisha Motor Vehicles Taxation Act. Furthermore, the Odisha Electric Vehicle Policy proposes a host of incentives for electric vehicle consumers, makers, batteries, and charging stations. The State Transport Department issued a notification in this respect. The decision was made to stimulate the rapid adoption of EVs, according to the statement. In a notification released on Friday, the State Government declared a 100 per cent exemption on motor vehicle taxes and registration costs for battery-powered cars.

In September of this year, the Odisha government issued the Electric Vehicle Policy, 2021, on the suggestion of NITI Aayog to stimulate the speedier adoption of electric cars in the state. During the policy term, the government has planned to expand financial incentives for manufacturing businesses, purchasers, scrapping, interest subvention in loans, and waiver of road tax and registration costs (five years).  It has also chosen to provide incentives under the Startup Policy. According to the programme, the state would offer a 15% subsidy on the base price, up to Rs 5,000 for two-wheelers, Rs 10,000 for three-wheelers, and Rs 50,000 for four-wheelers.

Earlier this month, state government officials stated that seven charging stations would be erected in Bhubaneswar shortly, as the administration intends to create a comprehensive infrastructure for electric vehicles throughout the city. Malls, parking lots, hotels, residential complexes, offices, and roads would be prioritised in selecting locations, they claimed.

In the initial phase, seven charging stations will be built across the city, including near the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology and SUM Hospital.