GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 237
ANSWERED ON 21.07.2026
PM E-DRIVE SCHEME
237. MS KANGNA RANAUT:
Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has undertaken any technical assessment regarding the suitability,
performance and operational feasibility of electric vehicles supported under the PM E-...
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 237 ANSWERED ON 21.07.2026 PM E-DRIVE SCHEME
237. MS KANGNA RANAUT:
Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has undertaken any technical assessment regarding the suitability, performance and operational feasibility of electric vehicles supported under the PM E- DRIVE Scheme for deployment in hilly and mountainous regions, particularly Himalayan States including Himachal Pradesh;
(b) whether the parameters such as battery performance, charging efficiency, vehicle range, durability and overall efficiency have been evaluated under challenging conditions including low temperatures, steep gradients and difficult terrain;
(c) if so, the details of such assessments, including key findings regarding the performance and limitations of electric vehicles in such regions; and
(d) whether the Government is considering any region-specific technical standards, additional incentives, charging infrastructure support or policy measures to promote faster adoption of electric vehicles in Himalayan and hilly States? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES (SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)
(a) to (c): No such technical assessment regarding suitability, performance, operational feasibility as well as battery performance, charging efficiency, vehicle range, durability and overall efficiency of electric vehicles supported under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme for deployment in hilly and mountainous regions, has been undertaken by the Ministry of Heavy Industries
(MHI).
(d): PM E-DRIVE scheme is being implemented on a pan India basis. There are no plans for region-specific technical standards, additional incentives, charging infrastructure support or policy measures to promote faster adoption of electric vehicles in Himalayan and hilly States.
However, as per para 28 of the PM E-DRIVE Scheme Notification dated 29.09.2024, procurement and operation of electric buses by State Transport Undertakings in unique geographies such as hilly and north-eastern States on non-OPEX model may also be considered by MHI.
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