Odisha Govt Makes EVs Mandatory for Official Hiring Amid Fuel Crisis Concerns

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to promote green mobility and curb rising fuel expenditure, the Odisha Government has made the hiring of electric vehicles (EVs) mandatory for all official purposes from June 1, 2026.

In an Office Memorandum, the Finance Department said that the decision was prompted by the fuel and energy challenges emerging from the ongoing West Asia crisis and the growing burden of fuel costs on the State exchequer.

According to the order, all vehicles hired for official use after June 1 must be electric. The directive will apply to government departments as well as government-supported undertakings, institutions, universities and societies across the State.

To streamline the transition, the government has prescribed category-wise ceilings on monthly EV hiring charges. The cap has been fixed at ₹55,000 for Block and Tahasil-level functionaries; ₹50,000 for pool vehicles, Special Secretaries, Directors and district-level officials; ₹60,000 for District Judges, Collectors and Superintendents of Police; ₹65,000 for Additional Chief Secretaries and equivalent officers; ₹70,000 for the Chief Secretary and other officers of equivalent rank; and ₹80,000 for constitutional authorities, including the Governor, Chief Minister, Ministers and Judges of the Orissa High Court.

The memorandum further states that charging expenses will be reimbursed separately at the rate of ₹2 per kilometre. However, no charging cost will be payable to service providers if the State Government directly bears the charging expenses.

The approved hiring rates will remain effective for two years and will be reviewed subsequently. The Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) has been authorised to facilitate EV hiring through its tender process and can provide up to 300 electric vehicles on rent.

The move marks a major step in Odisha’s efforts to expand the use of clean-energy transportation in government operations, reduce dependence on conventional fuels and advance its environmental sustainability goals.