Telangana Cabinet Approves Rs 200 Crore Plan to Turn 18,766 Hyderabad Autos Electric

The Telangana state cabinet has approved the implementation of the Telangana Auto Rickshaw Electric Conversion Scheme with an outlay of Rs 200 crore to convert 18,766 petrol and diesel autorickshaws in Hyderabad into electric vehicles.

The decision was taken to curb vehicular pollution within the Core Urban Region and support the broader initiative to transform Hyderabad into a green city.

Under the newly approved scheme, eligible autorickshaw drivers will receive a maximum financial subsidy of Rs 1.50 lakh per vehicle. The government intends to support auto operators through two options to transition away from fossil fuels.

Beneficiaries under the scheme will have the choice to either install an electric conversion kit into their existing petrol or diesel autorickshaw, or scrap their old vehicle entirely and purchase a new electric autorickshaw.

According to official estimates presented to the cabinet, there are currently 18,766 petrol and diesel autorickshaws operating across Hyderabad. The Rs 200 crore budgetary allocation is aimed at covering these vehicles to reduce tailpipe emissions across the city's transport network.

The shift to electric autorickshaws forms part of the state administration's targeted environmental measures for the urban core, offering direct financial aid to auto drivers looking to upgrade their vehicles while lowering operating emissions.