In a major push to position India as a global hub for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has officially launched the online application portal for the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI).
Portal Open: Applications accepted from June 24 to October 21, 2025
Scheme originally notified on March 15, 2024, with detailed guidelines released on June 2, 2025
Key Highlights of the SPMEPCI Scheme:
- Global Investment Magnet: Designed to attract international EV manufacturers to set up production in India
- Make in India & Aatmanirbhar Bharat Boost: Reinforces domestic manufacturing and self-reliance
- Climate Commitments: Supports India’s Net Zero target by 2070
- Reduced Import Duty: Approved companies can import Completely Built Units (CBUs) of electric four-wheelers at a reduced customs duty of 15% (for vehicles valued at ₹30.12 lakh / US$ 35,000 or above) for 5 years
- Minimum Investment Requirement: ₹4,150 crore (US$ 482 million)
- Domestic Value Addition (DVA): Applicants must meet phased localization milestones
- Job Creation & Industrial Growth: Encourages development of the EV supply chain ecosystem and local job generation
What They’re Saying:
“This scheme is a defining moment for India’s future-ready mobility vision. It perfectly balances high-end EV tech imports with the growth of indigenous capabilities,”
— Haradanahalli Devegowda Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries
Why It Matters:
India is making a clear statement: it wants to be at the forefront of the global EV revolution. By offering duty concessions tied to strong local investment and manufacturing conditions, the government is inviting top EV brands while nurturing domestic capacity — creating a win-win for both investors and the local economy.