In a move to promote electric mobility, the Meghalaya Cabinet has approved the Meghalaya Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy 2026, under which buyers of electric vehicles will receive a ₹25,000 incentive along with a complete waiver of vehicle registration fees. The policy seeks to encourage more people to switch to electric vehicles and support the State’s clean transportation goals. It may be mentioned that only about 2,100 electric vehicles have been registered in Meghalaya over the last five years, a figure significantly lower than registrations of conventional fuel-powered vehicles, underscoring the slow pace of EV adoption in the State.
Briefing media persons after the Cabinet meeting, Cabinet Minister Marcuise N. Marak said the government has approved an incentive of ₹25,000 for every electric vehicle purchased, besides waiving registration fees for eligible vehicles. “The Cabinet on Monday has approved the Meghalaya Electric Vehicle Policy 2026. The Government of Meghalaya is promoting the people to go for electric vehicles. Therefore, the Cabinet has approved an incentive of around ₹25,000. Whoever is going for an electric vehicle, ₹25,000 will be given as an incentive, and also free registration will be given as the registration charge will not be required. The Government has already decided for that. People will be getting the incentive of ₹25,000 plus free registration,” Marak said. He added that the policy covers electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers and four-wheelers. “There are a good number of people who have switched to electric vehicles, though the exact number I don’t remember. There are more than 5,000, I think. The State Government is encouraging people to go for electric vehicles and that is the reason why incentives are being given — ₹25,000 per vehicle and the registration fees will be waived off,” he said.
Marak said Meghalaya is yet to establish its own vehicle scrappage facility and continues to depend on neighbouring Assam, which has an authorised vehicle scrappage station. He said the Cabinet has also discussed extending incentives under the vehicle scrappage policy introduced last year, under which owners scrapping old vehicles and purchasing new electric vehicles will be eligible for additional benefits once the framework is finalised. “The State Government is also working on vehicle scrappage. We have already come up with the scrappage policy last year, and whoever comes up with a scrappage policy certificate to buy a new electric vehicle will be getting some kind of incentives there again, but that will be decided later on. The State Cabinet has discussed this issue also. There will be a lot of incentives if a person is going for an electric vehicle,” Marak said. He added that the government has identified locations for commercial EV charging stations across the State, while Meghalaya is yet to have its own vehicle scrappage station, which can be established by private entrepreneurs.
