Patna: The Bihar government has intensified efforts to reduce dependence on petrol and diesel by accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles across government departments and expanding EV charging infrastructure statewide.
A high-level meeting chaired by Development Commissioner Mihir Kumar Singh was held on Friday to review the implementation of the Bihar Electric Vehicle (Amendment) Policy, 2026, and discuss strategies to promote large-scale EV adoption.
Representatives from:
- the Transport Department
- automobile manufacturers
- petroleum companies
participated in the meeting.
Among the companies represented were:
- Tata Motors
- MG Motor
- Hyundai Motor Company
- Maruti Suzuki
- TVS Motor Company
Senior officials present included Raj Kumar and Arif Ahsan.
Government Departments To Gradually Replace Fuel Vehicles
Officials said the state government had decided to introduce electric vehicles in phases across government departments, replacing diesel and petrol vehicles currently being operated on a hired basis.
The move is aimed at:
- reducing fuel consumption
- lowering vehicular pollution
- cutting operational transport costs
Authorities said the transition would significantly reduce dependence on conventional fuel-powered vehicles for official use.
BSTDC And BSRTC Named Nodal Agencies
The Bihar State Road Transport Corporation and the Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation have been designated as nodal agencies for coordinating EV deployment across departments.
Officials said both agencies would act as aggregators and coordinate with automobile manufacturers to supply electric vehicles based on departmental requirements.
EVs To Be Provided On Rental Model
According to the plan discussed during the meeting, vehicle manufacturers will provide EVs to government departments on a rental basis.
Officials believe the arrangement will:
- encourage wider EV usage
- lower maintenance and fuel expenditure
- gradually shift government transport systems towards cleaner mobility solutions
Government Seeks Robust EVs For Official Use
During the meeting, vehicle manufacturers were instructed to develop electric vehicles capable of long-distance travel and suited for government operations.
Officials specifically referred to categories comparable to:
- Mahindra Bolero
- Mahindra Scorpio-N
- Maruti Suzuki Ertiga
The state government said the vehicles must be durable, safe and practical for administrative use across urban and rural Bihar.
Bihar Targets 2,000–3,000 EVs In First Phase
The government has directed officials to ensure the availability of between 2,000 and 3,000 electric vehicles during the first phase of implementation.
Officials said the move could substantially accelerate the development of an EV-based government transport network in Bihar.
EV Charging Stations Planned Across State
The Development Commissioner also directed departments and petroleum companies to rapidly expand charging infrastructure.
Under the policy:
- EV charging stations will be installed in government premises and public spaces
- petroleum companies have been instructed to install chargers at petrol pumps
Officials said the expansion of charging infrastructure was essential to ensuring public confidence in electric mobility and supporting wider EV adoption across the state.
