Bhubaneswar: In a major eco-friendly move, the Odisha government has made it mandatory for all departments and state-supported institutions to hire Electric Vehicles (EVs) for official purposes.
Issuing an office memorandum, the Finance Department directed all government departments, public sector undertakings (PSUs), universities, autonomous institutions and societies receiving state support to switch to EVs while hiring vehicles for official use.
The move comes amid rising oil prices and energy challenges triggered by the crisis in West Asia, which has increased the financial burden on the state exchequer.
As part of the new guidelines, all vehicles hired after June 1, 2026, for official duties must be electric vehicles. The government has also prescribed category-wise maximum monthly hiring charges for EVs, excluding taxes and charging costs.
As per the revised rates, EVs hired at the Block and Tehsil levels can be engaged at a maximum monthly charge of Rs 55,000. The ceiling has been fixed at Rs 50,000 for pool vehicles of administrative departments, Special Secretaries, Directors and district-level officers.
District Collectors, Superintendents of Police and District Judges will be entitled to vehicles costing up to Rs 60,000 per month, while Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and equivalent officers can hire EVs up to Rs 65,000 per month.
The highest hiring ceiling of Rs 80,000 per month has been approved for the Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Justice, Ministers and Ministers of State. The Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner and officers of equivalent rank will be eligible for EVs costing up to Rs 70,000 per month.
The government will provide for a charging cost reimbursement of Rs 2 per kilometre to service providers. However, no separate charging payment will be made if the government itself bears the charging expenses.
To facilitate implementation, departments have been allowed to hire EVs through the Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) at tendered rates. OREDA has been authorised to supply up to 300 electric vehicles on a rental basis.
The prescribed rates will remain effective for two years and will be reviewed thereafter, the order stated.
The government has asked all departments, Heads of Offices, District Collectors, Superintendents of Police and other competent authorities to ensure strict compliance with the new guidelines.
