Bihar’s Electric Push: EV Sales Surge Amid Government Subsidies, But Challenges Remain
Patna: With the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government offering subsidies of up to ₹1.5 lakh on the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs), the state is witnessing a sharp rise in the adoption of eco-friendly transport. A total of 3.59 lakh EVs have been sold in Bihar so far, of which nearly 68%—or 2.42 lakh—were sold in the past two years alone.
The highest number of EV registrations has been recorded in Patna (33,658 vehicles), while Araria district trails with just 228 EVs. Officials and experts attribute this surge to both government incentives and the rising cost of petrol and diesel.
EV vs Petrol: A Cost Comparison That’s Driving Sales
With petrol retailing at ₹105 per litre in Patna, switching to an electric two-wheeler or four-wheeler offers substantial savings. For instance, while a petrol vehicle may cost around ₹3,000 per month to operate, an electric vehicle covering the same distance could cost as little as ₹600 per month in electricity—offering a potential annual saving of ₹30,000. Buyers can recover the entire cost of a ₹1 lakh EV in just over three years from fuel savings alone.
Four-Wheeler Users Also Turning to EVs
For those who commute 100 kilometers daily, the appeal of electric cars is even stronger.
- Petrol cost: 5 liters/day x ₹105 = ₹525
- EV cost: ~20 electricity units (for 300 km) x ₹15 = ₹300 → only ₹100/day for 100 km
“An EV’s running cost is about ₹1–3/km compared to ₹6–7/km for fuel-based vehicles,” Singh added.
Government’s EV Incentive Scheme
The EV Incentive Policy, launched on 5 December 2023, offers:
- Up to ₹1.5 lakh subsidy on electric four-wheelers for Scheduled Castes
- ₹1.25 lakh for others
- ₹10,000 for electric two-wheelers for SC/ST individuals
- ₹7,500 for others
- 75% tax exemption for the first 10,000 two-wheelers and 1,000 four-wheelers
- 50% exemption thereafter
- Additional incentives for scrapping old vehicles
Despite these efforts, interest in availing the subsidy has been relatively low. Only 5,519 applications have been submitted so far, of which 3,930 have been approved—majorly from Patna.
EV Growth Even Without Subsidies
Interestingly, the EV trend began even before the subsidy policy was introduced.
- 2020-21: 23,083 EVs registered
- 2021-22: 55,751 EVs
- 2022-23: 88,208 EVs (a 58.2% increase from the previous year)
Infrastructure Challenges: Charging Woes and Mileage Concerns
Despite the growth, challenges remain. The lack of adequate charging infrastructure and concerns over mileage are cited as key issues.
“Private and government efforts are ramping up to install more recharge points,” said Brajendra Kumar, Head of MG Motors, Patna. “This will reduce range anxiety in the coming months.”
Currently, Tata Motors leads in setting up fast-charging stations in cities like Patna, Hajipur, Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Sitamarhi, and Gaya. Locations in Darbhanga, Bettiah, and Motihari are next.
Charging stations in Patna include:
- Panache Hotel
- Sangam Mod
- Ginger Hotel (Dakbungla)
- Near P&M Mall
- Bihta
MG Motors also has operational stations in Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Darbhanga, with expansion plans for Madhepura, Gaya, Purnia, and Kishanganj.
Charging Costs and Models
- Tata’s fast-charging stations: ₹15/unit + GST
- Fast chargers: Full charge in 1–1.5 hours
- Wall-mounted: Full charge (7kW) in 10–12 hours
- Portable chargers: Full charge (3.5kW) in 12 hours
The Road Ahead: 250 Petrol Pumps to Get Charging Points
According to Transport Department Secretary Sanjay Agarwal, 250 petrol pumps across Bihar have been identified for setting up EV charging stations. “Private agencies are also partnering with us. Companies like EV Magnifactor are contributing to the infrastructure push,” he said.
EVs on the Rise, But More Support Needed
While Bihar’s EV sales surge reflects a positive shift towards clean mobility, the road ahead demands stronger infrastructure, wider public awareness, and streamlined subsidy access to make electric mobility truly mainstream in the state.
