NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) on Tuesday launched a dedicated web portal to facilitate new applications under the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI), in a bid to further ease of doing business and promote green mobility.
Originally launched in March 2024, the scheme aims to bolster domestic manufacturing of electric passenger cars, positioning India as a global hub for automotive innovation and production. The initiative is part of the Centre’s larger vision to establish India as a “preferred automotive manufacturing and innovation destination” globally.
“This initiative marks a defining moment in India’s journey towards clean, self-reliant, and future-ready mobility,” said H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister for Heavy Industries. He added that the new portal under the SPMEPCI scheme would open new avenues for global electric vehicle manufacturers to invest in India’s rapidly evolving automotive landscape.
“This scheme not only supports our national commitment to achieving net zero by 2070, but also reinforces our resolve to build a sustainable, innovation-driven economy. It strengthens the pillars of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, and positions India as a trusted global hub for next-generation automotive manufacturing and technological leadership,” the minister said.
India’s net-zero ambition was first announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 26th Conference of Parties (COP-26) in Glasgow, where he pledged to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, raise non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW, and meet 50% of the country's energy needs through renewables by 2030.
According to an official statement from the ministry, the scheme is expected to attract substantial investments from EV manufacturers worldwide and promote India as a preferred destination for electric vehicle manufacturing. “It will also help put India on the global EV map, generate employment, and contribute meaningfully to the ‘Make in India’ vision,” it added.
To incentivize global players, approved applicants will be allowed to import completely built units (CBUs) of electric four-wheelers with a minimum CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value of $35,000 at a reduced customs duty of 15% for a period of five years.
Selected applicants will be required to invest a minimum of ?4,150 crore under the scheme, as per the policy framework. The initiative also mandates domestic value addition, further advancing the objectives of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, while enabling participation from both global and domestic companies aligned with India’s green mobility targets.
The application window is now open, and interested applicants can apply through the online module. The portal will accept applications from June 24, 2025, to October 21, 2025.
