Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has called for a reliability-first, fiscally prudent transition to electric mobility while reviewing the draft policy framework. The draft framework, prepared by the Transport Department with support from CITaG, proposes that service readiness should precede charging-corridor expansion and wider EV adoption. J&K EV Policy 2026
Senior officials from the power, finance, transport, housing, law, food, and municipal departments attended the review alongside CITaG experts. Dulloo said electric vehicles and charging systems must first prove dependable across Jammu and Kashmir’s difficult terrain, severe winters, and sub-zero operating conditions.
Winter Performance and Government Fleets
A proposed Winter Validation Protocol will examine battery thermal behavior, low-temperature charging acceptance, and the effect of cabin heating on vehicle performance. Field validation on challenging routes would be completed before large-scale deployment.
Government vehicles would be replaced gradually under the J&K EV Policy 2026, based on operational needs, geography, and climate. The Law Department has also been asked to legally vet the draft before finalization.
Ambitious Adoption and Charging Targets
Transport Secretary Avny Lavasa said the framework rests on eight strategic pillars covering adoption, charging infrastructure, workforce development, fiscal support, grid integration, and environmental outcomes.
Within six years, the policy targets EV shares of 40 percent in new personal four-wheeler registrations, 35 percent in two-wheelers, 30 percent in buses and 25 percent in taxis and shared mobility.
Public charging sites could increase from about 180 currently to 450 by year three and 900 by year six. The plan includes 140 priority fast-charging hubs, each expected to deliver at least 98 percent monthly uptime.
Targeted Incentives and Cleaner Charging
The J&K EV Policy 2026 proposes that eligible early buyers choose either interest subvention of up to 3 percent annually or rolling top-up assistance; both cannot be claimed together. A verified scrappage exchange bonus through authorized channels is recommended annually for up to three years.
Dulloo urged targeted government spending on strategic gaps and capacity building, with centrally sponsored programmes such as PM E-DRIVE serving as the main fiscal anchor.
The J&K EV Policy 2026 also recommends Time-of-Day tariffs and solar-hour charging to manage grid demand. It seeks 40 per cent renewable-energy integration in charging operations within the policy period, aligning dependable mobility with cleaner power use. This sequencing aims to build public confidence while avoiding unreliable, subsidy-led expansion.
Related Articles:
