The Maharashtra government has proposed to remove toll charges for electric vehicles on the Mumbai-Pune and the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway. The move is part of a larger plan to increase the share of electric vehicles in the state to 25 percent.
As per sources, the proposal has been approved by some departments, including the public works department. It is now waiting for clearance from the finance department and other offices. The final approval is expected from the state cabinet.
As of January 1, 2025, only 6 percent of the 48.82 million registered vehicles in Maharashtra were electric. In comparison, Tamil Nadu had 8 percent, Karnataka had 9 percent, and Delhi had 12 percent electric vehicles.
The toll waiver is part of the new electric vehicle policy that may be introduced in the coming weeks. The policy was proposed by the transport department. If approved, the toll exemption will begin on May 1. It will apply to both the Mumbai-Pune and Samruddhi expressways.
The plan also includes setting up charging stations near government offices and every 25 kilometres along both highways. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is 93 kilometres long. It is part of the central government’s green energy corridor. That is one of the reasons it is included in the toll exemption plan.
Officials said the toll waiver may cost the government around INR 100 crore each year. This is because the state will have to pay the private operators running the toll booths.
The finance department may raise concerns about the loss of revenue. Despite this, the proposal already has support from some parts of the government.
The proposal also includes a 10 per cent rebate for electric vehicle buyers. EVs are about 30 per cent costlier than petrol or diesel vehicles. To reduce this cost gap, the state has set aside funds for the discount. According to sources, the Chief Minister has already approved this rebate.
Last year, the government also removed a 6 per cent tax on electric vehicles that cost over INR 30 lakh. This decision was made after officials found that the tax was hurting efforts to promote electric vehicles.
The government has also set up a seven-member team. This team will look into the possibility of banning petrol and diesel vehicles in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
The final decision on tolls must come from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, which operates toll booths on both highways.
The proposal will now be sent to the Chief Minister and the two Deputy Chief Ministers. It will first need the transport minister’s approval before it can move forward.
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