Bhubaneswar: In a decisive move shaped by global fuel uncertainties and rising energy costs, the Odisha government has ordered all departments to procure only electric vehicles (EVs) for official use, effective from June 1, 2026.
The Finance Department issued fresh guidelines through an Office Memorandum dated May 30, setting strict price ceilings for different categories of functionaries.
Governors, Chief Ministers, High Court Judges, and Ministers can use EVs priced up to Rs 30 lakh. Senior bureaucrats such as the Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, and Secretaries are capped at Rs 25 lakh, while Collectors, SPs, and District Judges are limited to Rs 20 lakh.
Procurement will follow prescribed procedures, with mandatory concurrence from the Finance Department. New EVs may be purchased only after the existing vehicle's lifespan ends and it is scrapped. Departments have been advised to source vehicles via the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
The guidelines restrict purchases to models manufactured by Tata Motors, Mahindra, and Maruti, and prohibit multiple vehicles for principal secretary-level officers. Petrol and diesel vehicles will be allowed only under exceptional circumstances with prior approval.
The order extends to government-supported undertakings, universities, and societies, signalling Odisha's push toward sustainable mobility while curbing fuel expenditure amid the West Asia crisis.