The Maharashtra government has been instructed to enforce complete toll exemptions for electric vehicles (EVs) on the state’s major highways within the next eight days, giving a boost to green mobility efforts.
This directive comes amid growing complaints from EV owners who reported continued toll charges despite an official policy granting exemptions.
The order, delivered by Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar during the Nagpur assembly session, demands immediate action and requires authorities to reimburse EV users for tolls collected in violation of the policy. Narwekar described the continued toll collection as “illegal” once the policy took effect, emphasising that implementation gaps must be resolved promptly.
State officials have confirmed that the directive will be carried out. The exemption will cover key corridors such as the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, the Samruddhi Mahamarg, and the Atal Setu. Earlier, the government rolled out the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2025, which offers tax benefits, registration fee waivers, and subsidies to promote electric mobility. However, technical mismatches between FASTag systems and the VAHAN database caused many EVs to be misidentified at toll booths, resulting in unintended deductions.
Narwekar reiterated, “Electric vehicles must not be charged any tolls for the next eight days, and a proper mechanism should be created to refund any toll amounts already collected from their owners.” His directive seeks to ensure toll operators update their systems so that all registered EVs are correctly recognised. Beyond toll relief, Narwekar also pressed the government to speed up the rollout of electric vehicle charging stations. Noting the rapid rise in EV adoption, he underscored the need for more charging points and upgrades to existing infrastructure to support motorists.
Revised operational guidelines and a refund procedure are expected soon, with officials assuring that corrective steps are already underway and full compliance will be met within the designated timeframe. The initiative is likely to bring financial relief to thousands of EV owners while strengthening Maharashtra’s drive toward cleaner transportation. Efficient toll exemption, backed by expanding charging networks and supportive fiscal policies, is anticipated to significantly accelerate EV uptake across the state.
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