Odisha to Revise 2021 EV Policy, Aims to Become Model Electric Vehicle Ecosystem

Bhubaneswar, June 25 : The Odisha Government is preparing to roll out a revised version of its Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2021, aiming to accelerate green mobility, reduce carbon emissions, and transform the state into a model EV ecosystem by 2036.

At a high-level brainstorming session held in Bhubaneswar, jointly organized by the Commerce & Transport Department and the Energy Department, key stakeholders deliberated on the framework of the proposed Odisha EV Policy 2.0. The session was co-chaired by Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of Commerce & Transport, and Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary of Energy.

The revised policy envisions that at least 50% of all new vehicle registrations in the state will be Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) by the year 2036, aligning with the broader Odisha Vision 2036 plan.

According to official sources, EV adoption in Odisha has seen a steep rise—from 1.16% in 2021 to 8.71% by June 20, 2025. Currently, the state has over 550 Public Charging Stations (PCS), operated by a mix of two-wheeler OEMs, DISCOMs, and Oil Marketing Companies. To bolster this infrastructure, the State Transport Authority (STA) has already issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development of additional charging stations at key locations across Odisha.

The upcoming EV Policy 2.0 will include:

• Extended policy validity
• Enhanced incentives for EV buyers and Charge Point Operators (CPOs)
• Financial support to empaneled CPOs from the state budget on a first-come-first-serve basis
• Phased reduction of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles
• Establishment of a dedicated EV fund
• Initiatives to address range anxiety through rapid charging infrastructure in urban and semi-urban areas

The state is also set to leverage the PM e-DRIVE Scheme of the Government of India, with recommendations already submitted for inclusion in the central guidelines to ensure financial assistance for EV adoption.

The policy revision aims to take a comprehensive approach, addressing both supply-side enablers—such as manufacturing, infrastructure, and innovation—and demand-side drivers, including incentives and awareness campaigns, to achieve balanced and inclusive EV growth.

Officials emphasized that the revised policy will serve as a blueprint for other states and reaffirm Odisha’s commitment to a sustainable, low-carbon future through electrified transportation.