Uttar Pradesh’s Green UP initiative promotes electric vehicle adoption through substantial subsidies, offering up to ₹1.5 lakh for e-cars and ₹20,000 for e-two-wheelers. The state aims to electrify public transport and establish 2,000 charging stations by 2024, aligning with India’s clean energy goals. These incentives make EVs more affordable, encouraging greener transportation.
Uttar Pradesh Accelerates EV Revolution with Generous Subsidies
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, is driving the electric vehicle (EV) revolution with its ambitious Green UP initiative, offering significant subsidies to make EVs more accessible to residents. The state’s Electric Vehicle Policy, launched in 2022 and extended through 2025, aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable transportation. As part of this policy, the Uttar Pradesh government is providing substantial financial incentives for both individual buyers and fleet operators, aligning with India’s broader goal of achieving 30% EV penetration by 2030.
Under the Green UP scheme, buyers of electric four-wheelers can avail subsidies of up to ₹1.5 lakh per vehicle, capped at ₹10,000 per kWh of battery capacity, for vehicles with an ex-factory price of up to ₹15 lakh. For electric two-wheelers, the state offers a subsidy of up to ₹20,000, targeting the first 2 lakh registrations. Electric three-wheelers, including e-rickshaws, are eligible for incentives of up to ₹50,000, while e-buses receive support of ₹20,000 per kWh, subject to bidding by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). These subsidies are complemented by a 70% road tax exemption for EVs in Uttar Pradesh, unlike full exemptions in states like Delhi and Maharashtra, though registration fees are waived nationwide.
The state’s EV policy also focuses on infrastructure development, with plans to establish 2,000 charging stations by 2024, including 200 fast-charging stations along key highways like the Purvanchal Expressway. This infrastructure push aims to address range anxiety, a major barrier to EV adoption. Additionally, Uttar Pradesh is targeting the electrification of 70% of its public transportation by 2030, with 1,000 electric buses planned for deployment across 10 identified “green routes” in cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, and Agra.
The Green UP initiative dovetails with central government schemes like the PM E-DRIVE, launched on October 1, 2024, with a ₹10,900 crore outlay to support 24.79 lakh e-two-wheelers, 3.16 lakh e-three-wheelers, and 14,028 e-buses nationwide. In Uttar Pradesh, the combination of state and central subsidies has led to a surge in EV registrations, with over 50,000 electric vehicles incentivized in the state by December 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Heavy Industries. The state’s single-window system for EV approvals further streamlines the process for manufacturers and buyers.
To encourage local manufacturing, Uttar Pradesh offers capital subsidies of 15-25% for EV component production and interest reimbursement for loans taken for EV infrastructure development. These measures have attracted investments from companies like Ola Electric, which recently announced plans to expand its manufacturing facility in the state. The policy also includes incentives for fleet operators, with a focus on e-ambulances and e-trucks, allocating ₹500 crore for the former to support healthcare mobility.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Critics argue that the 70% road tax requirement in Uttar Pradesh, compared to full exemptions in other states, may deter some buyers. Additionally, the high upfront cost of EVs, even with subsidies, remains a hurdle for rural consumers. Experts suggest that expanding financing options, such as low-interest loans through partnerships with banks like the State Bank of India, could further boost adoption.
Uttar Pradesh’s Green UP initiative is a bold step toward a cleaner, greener future, leveraging financial incentives and infrastructure development to make EVs a viable choice for millions. As the state ramps up its efforts, it sets a model for other regions aiming to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information sourced from government announcements, official policy documents, and reports from the Ministry of Heavy Industries, NITI Aayog, and reputable news outlets like Reuters and The Economic Times, accessed as of September 2, 2025. Readers are advised to verify subsidy eligibility and application processes through official portals like upevsubsidy.in.