SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has notified the J&K Electric Vehicle Policy-2026, setting a six-year roadmap to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, expand charging infrastructure and build a cleaner, affordable and weather-resilient mobility ecosystem across the Union Territory.
Approved by the Council of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the policy will remain in force from 2026 to 2032 and targets 1.40 lakh electric vehicles on J&K roads by 2032. The framework covers all 20 districts and combines demand incentives, infrastructure development, power-grid integration, public-private partnerships, skill development and employment generation.
A key component of the policy is the creation of 900 public charging sites, including 140 fast-charging hubs along urban grids and highway corridors. Building bye-laws will also mandate EV-readiness for 20 per cent of parking capacity, supporting wider access to charging facilities.
Given Jammu and Kashmir’s harsh winters and difficult terrain, the policy introduces a Specialized Winter Validation Protocol for EVs, with particular focus on performance in snow and sub-zero conditions. It also provides for coordinated integration of growing EV charging demand with the power system.
To make EV ownership more affordable, the policy provides 3–5 per cent interest subvention on EV loans for up to 36 months for eligible beneficiaries. A ₹50-crore annual budgetary provision has been earmarked for scrappage-linked incentives to encourage replacement of old vehicles with electric alternatives.
The policy also offers early-adopter top-up incentives for the first 15,800 eligible adopters, including ₹15 lakh for the first 300 e-buses, ₹1 lakh for the first 1,500 personal cars and ₹5,000 for the first 10,000 two-wheelers, subject to prescribed eligibility conditions.
The roadmap further envisages phase-wise fleet electrification, expansion of charging networks, greater private-sector participation and development of skilled manpower to support the emerging EV sector.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah congratulated Transport Minister Satish Sharma and the Transport Department on the notification, saying the policy provides a structured framework for cleaner transport while taking into account J&K’s terrain and cold-weather conditions.
The notification formally puts in place the Omar Abdullah-led Government’s six-year strategy for cleaner mobility, stronger EV infrastructure and new opportunities in the electric mobility sector.
