Indian Government’s New EV Policy Will Slash Import Duty To 15%, But Companies Must Meet Set Criteria

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TL; DR
  • According to the new EV policy, a qualifying company must have a minimum turnover of Rs. 2,500 crores by the second year of operations.
  • Under the new policy, EV makers will have 120 days to apply. Further, they’ll be allowed to import up to 8,000 premium electronic vehicles.

To lure global EV makers, the Indian government is preparing a new EV policy that drastically reduces the import duty on fully built units. Manufacturers that meet certain criteria (set by the government) will only have to pay 15% import duty, which, otherwise, is as much as 110%. However, meeting the government’s conditions might not be possible for all companies.

Also Read: Tesla Might Inaugurate Indian Retail Stores By April, Showroom Locations Identified In Mumbai And Delhi

EV Makers Must Have A Minimum Turnover Of Rs. 2,500 Crores By Second Year

BYD Sealion 7 Electric Coupe SUV

According to the new EV policy, a qualifying company must have a minimum turnover of Rs. 2,500 crores by the second year of operations. Further, it should also meet consecutive revenue milestones of Rs. 5,000 crores by the fourth year and Rs. 7,500 crores by the fifth year of business. In addition to this, the interested EV makers should

Further, the company must invest Rs. 4,150 crores in the market to demonstrate their commitment. Interestingly, any previous investments made by the company will not count toward the criteria, nor will the costs of building and land. Although the new policy reduces the import duty, it seems to be stringent for new players entering the market.

Also Read: Audi’s Most Powerful Luxury SUV, RS Q8 Performance, Goes Official In India: Reaches 100 km/h In 3.6 Seconds

EV Makers Can Import Up To 8,000 Premium Vehicles At The Reduced Rate

Tesla begins manufacturing right-hand EVs for India

Under the new policy, EV makers will have 120 days to apply. Further, they’ll be allowed to import up to 8,000 premium electronic vehicles (priced above $35,000) at the lower rate of customs import duty, beyond which the 110% rate will apply. Companies must establish their manufacturing facilities within three years of their application and achieve 25% domestic value addition.

It is important to mention that these guidelines that constitute the new EV policy haven’t been finalized yet, as they’ve yet to get approval from H.D. Kumaraswamy, the Heavy Industries Minister. Moreover, the updated EV policy demands commitment and, in return, benefits the EV makers with reduced import duty (and lower costs for the consumers).

Also Read: BYD Sealion 7 Electric Coupe SUV With All-Wheel Drive (Optional) Launched In India: Check Specs & Price Here

Tesla could be the immediate beneficiary of the new EV policy, as it is gearing up to sell electronic cars in India. The company has already identified store locations in Mumbai and Delhi. It is also hiring advisory and ground staff for the stores via its official LinkedIn page.

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Shikhar MehrotraShikhar Mehrotra
Shikhar Mehrotra is a seasoned technology writer and reviewer with over five years of experience covering consumer tech across India and global markets. At Smartprix, he has authored more than 1,700 articles, including news stories, features, comparisons, and product reviews spanning automobiles, smartphones, chipsets, wearables, laptops, home appliances, and operating systems. Shikhar has reviewed flagship devices such as the iPhone 16, Galaxy S25+, and Sennheiser HD 505 Open-Ear headphones. He also contributes regularly to Smartprix’s growing automotive section.

With a deep understanding of both iOS and Android ecosystems, Shikhar specializes in daily tech news, how-to explainers, product comparisons, and in-depth reviews. His DSLR photography in product reviews is recognized as among the best on the team.

Before joining Smartprix, Shikhar wrote for leading publications including Forbes Advisor India, Republic World, and ScreenRant. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Lucknow.

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