Goa Electric Mobility Promotion Policy 2021

The Goa Electric Mobility Promotion Policy 2021 is a five-year framework designed to establish Goa as a model of international standards for EV adoption across passenger, commercial, and marine segments. Supported by the Goa De-carbonization Fund and a dedicated public charging network, the policy provides manufacturing incentives up to 20% of FCI for Pioneer/Mega units, customized packages for startups, and coordinates with FAME-II and central guidelines to subsidize EV purchases, retrofitting, and battery swapping.

Goa's unique transport profile calls for a specialized EV policy: it has a coastline of 104 km, navigable inland waterways of 250 km, and a resident population of 15 lakh that welcomes roughly 75 lakh tourists annually. Tourism relies heavily on unmetered taxis, bikes, rickshaws, and ferries. Goa also features a high vehicle density of 625 vehicles per 1,000 people (ranking 15th globally), with average households owning two bikes and one car. The policy leverages Goa's power-surplus status, where roughly 18% of the state's 580 MW demand is already met from clean energy sources.

Vision — Clause 2.1

To establish Goa as a model of international standards for EV adoption across passenger and commercial segments, supported by a world-class charging infrastructure and ecosystem, achieved through active incorporation of smart-city development, energy conservation and integrated transport mechanisms.

Objectives — Clause 7

• •Achieve a 30% share of electric vehicles in new registrations starting from 2025.
• •Promote RTO-approved conversion of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles to EVs.
• •Convert 50% of the state's marine ferry fleet to electric by 2025.
• •Create 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in the electric mobility sector by 2025.
• •Encourage startups and investment in EV and ancillary sectors.
• •Promote service units for EV and battery maintenance and repairs.
• •Provide vehicle purchase subsidies, scrapping incentives, and interest subvention.
• •Waive road tax and registration fees for all registered Battery Electric Vehicles.
• •Establish a wide charging and battery-swapping network with a publicly owned database.

Key Definitions — Clause 4

Manufacturing Enterprise Classes — Clauses 5–7

Two-Wheeler Performance & Efficiency Thresholds — Clause 15.3

Two-wheeler purchase incentives require the model to meet these performance thresholds, be registered by the OEM with the Transport Department, and carry Rule 126 CMVR testing-agency certification.

A. Pioneer, Mega, and Ultra-Mega Units — Clause 12–13

Granted based on the recommendations of the state High-Power Committee:

B. MSMEs and Startups — Clause 14

C. Vehicle Purchase & Scrapping Incentives

The policy establishes purchase, retrofit, and scrapping incentives, but defers the actual rates to separately notified implementing schemes. Scrapping incentives require RTO scrapping validation and an OEM matching contribution.

D. The Original Scheme — Notified 16 December 2021

This initial scheme was discontinued on 31 July 2022. It operated on a declining rate structure over the financial years:

• •Scrapping Bonus: ₹5,000 (2W) / ₹10,000 (3W & 4W) paid by the state, with an additional ₹5,000 matching contribution from 2W OEMs/dealers.
• •Manufactured-in-Goa Bonus: Additional ₹5,000 (2W) / ₹10,000 (3W) / ₹15,000 (4W).

E. The Re-Launched Scheme — Notified 29 February 2024

Retrospective from 1 August 2022 (covering the gap after the original scheme's discontinuation) through 31 December 2024. Benefits were claimed online via GEDA's www.goaev.in portal:

Commercial and Public Charging — Clauses 24 & 26

The state targets public charging station density of every 25 km on highways and every 3 km within city limits. Concessional locations are carved out of public parking areas (depots, tech parks, stands) at minimum lease rentals. All public and private installations must adhere to the Bharat EV AC-001 and DC-001 charger protocols (as updated 01/10/2019).

Charging Infrastructure Incentives — Clause 27 & 28

• •Electricity infrastructure cost support: State incurs up to ₹8,00,000 per charger installation.
• •Solar chargers: 20% capital subsidy on installation, with solar-powered stations receiving top priority.
• •Tariff and demand charges: Uniform JERC-determined periodic tariffs apply. Fixed demand charge waivers are recommended.
• •Open Access: Waiver of the 1 MW contracted-demand threshold for charging stations and battery swapping kiosks.
• •Power banking: Charger operators with captive renewable setups receive 1-year power-banking arrangements with the Electricity Department.

Building Bye-laws and Fleet Electrification

• •Building Bye-laws amendments: Mandating new and renovated non-residential buildings, and housing complexes with >10 car spaces, to make at least 20% of spots 'EV ready' with conduits.
• •Commercial 2W: All two-wheelers used in commercial activities in Goa must transition to fully electric by 31 December 2025.
• •Goa Stage-Carriage Buses: Pure electric buses must make up at least 50% of new stage-carriage bus procurements (target of 500 electric buses by 2025).
• •Government Fleet: Transition of all leased or hired cars used by Goa Government officers to electric within one year (NRE as nodal authority).
• •Targeted Zones: Panjim Smart City, Heritage Zones, Tourist Zones, airports, and railway stations target 100% mandatory EV use by 2025.

Marine Fleet Electrification — Clause 21

The policy establishes a commitment to promote the conversion of Goa's diesel-operated marine fleet (trawlers, fishing boats, and passenger ferries) into hybrid (Solar + Electric) mode, aiming to convert 50% of all ferries by 2025.

Goa De-carbonization Fund & Cess — Clause 31

Funding for EV incentives is aggregated into GEDA's 'Goa De-carbonization Fund', sourced from a Pollution Cess levied on the sale of petrol and diesel (at rates notified by the Government) alongside direct budgetary allocations.

Document Checklist — Vehicle Purchase / Retrofit / Scrapping

Document Checklist — Manufacturing, MSME, and Startup Tiers

1. 1Reconcile scope: Verify that the vehicle is a BEV, Strong Hybrid, or PHEV (Clause 11.1), checking that 2-wheelers meet speed and efficiency limits (Clause 15.3).
2. 2Establish scheme status: Check with GEDA whether a purchase incentive scheme is active, as the retrospective 2024 scheme closed on 31 December 2024.
3. 3Purchase and register: Buy the EV from an authorized dealer in Goa, securing the tax invoice, insurance, and battery capacity specs.
4. 4Handle permits and scrapping: If replacing an ICE vehicle, secure the RTO de-registration certificate (Clause 15.5) or surrender the ICE auto permit (Clause 16.6).
5. 5Submit online claim: Register and upload the document checklist on GEDA's EV portal (www.goaev.in).
6. 6Track disbursement: Subsidy claims are paid in a single NEFT instalment to the registered owner's account.
7. 7For manufacturing proposals: Secure single-window clearance from the Investment Promotion Board (Clause 33.2) and request a High-Power Committee recommendation.

HPC Composition — Clause 35.1

Chaired by the Chief Secretary, the High-Power Committee comprises secretaries of NRE, Finance, Transport, Industries, Power, TCP, Urban Development, PWD, and Tourism, alongside CEOs of the IPB, MDs of KTCL, Member Secretaries of GEDA, and industry invitees.