Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah speaks in the House during the autumn session of the union territory Assembly, in Srinagar, Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (PTI Photo)

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has formally notified the J&K Electric Vehicle Policy‑2026, following its approval by the Council of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

“This landmark policy lays out a six‑year, territory‑wide roadmap (2026–2032) to expand clean, affordable and climate‑resilient electric mobility across all 20 districts of the Union Territory,” a statement issued here on Thursday said.

The policy sets an ambitious target of 1.40 lakh electric vehicles by 2032, backed by a comprehensive ecosystem of demand incentives, charging infrastructure, power‑grid integration, skill development and employment generation. “It aims not only to accelerate EV adoption but also to ensure that Jammu and Kashmir’s unique terrain and harsh winters are fully accounted for in the transition to electric mobility,” the statement said.

A major highlight of the policy is its strategic infrastructure blueprint, which envisions the creation of 900 public charging sites, including 140 fast‑charging hubs strategically placed across urban centres and key highway corridors. To ensure future‑ready urban planning, building bye‑laws will now mandate EV‑ready infrastructure for 20 per cent of all parking capacity, enabling seamless charging access in residential, commercial and institutional spaces.

Recognising the Himalayan region’s distinct climatic challenges, the government has introduced a Specialized Winter Validation Protocol—a first-of-its-kind framework under which EVs will undergo rigorous winter‑performance testing, particularly for snow‑bound and sub‑zero operating conditions. This protocol is designed to ensure reliability, battery efficiency and safety in some of India’s coldest inhabited regions. The policy also outlines a managed integration of EV charging demand with the power system to maintain grid stability as adoption scales up.

To make EV ownership more affordable, the policy offers 3–5 per cent interest subvention on EV loans for up to 36 months, with enhanced support for eligible beneficiaries. A dedicated ₹50‑crore annual budget has been earmarked for scrappage‑linked incentives, encouraging citizens to replace older, polluting vehicles with cleaner electric alternatives.

Early adopters will receive additional top‑up incentives, including ₹15 lakh for the first 300 e‑buses, ₹1 lakh for the first 1,500 personal electric cars, and ₹5,000 for the first 10,000 electric two‑wheelers, subject to policy conditions. These incentives aim to catalyse early momentum and build public confidence in EV technology.

The policy further outlines phase‑wise electrification of public and private fleets, expansion of charging networks, increased private‑sector participation and development of a skilled workforce to support the emerging EV ecosystem. Together, these measures position J&K to become a leading clean‑mobility region in the Himalayan belt.

Chief Minister Abdullah congratulated Transport Minister Satish Sharma and the Transport Department on the notification of the policy, noting that it provides a structured, climate‑responsive framework for advancing clean transport while addressing the unique terrain and cold‑weather realities of J&K.

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