Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Telangana Approves ₹200 Crore Electric Conversion Scheme for Autos
Telangana wants many autorickshaws in Hyderabad to become electric.
The government has set aside ₹200 crore for this plan.
It covers 18,766 autos that currently use petrol or diesel.
Owners can get up to ₹1.50 lakh in help.
They can either add an electric kit to their old auto or buy a new electric three-wheeler.
Some autos can use batteries that are swapped quickly instead of waiting to recharge.
The government says this will reduce pollution, noise and fuel expenses.
Driver representatives welcomed the plan but also asked the government to act on other promises.
Telangana approved a ₹200 crore scheme to convert 18,766 Hyderabad autorickshaws to electric vehicles.
The eligible fleet includes 11,254 diesel and 7,512 petrol autorickshaws with valid permits in the CURE region.
Owners can receive up to ₹1.50 lakh to retrofit their existing chassis or buy a new factory-made electric three-wheeler.
Retrofitted autos may use fixed or battery-swapping systems, while reimbursement is limited to ₹1.50 lakh and beneficiaries must pay any excess cost.
The scheme allocates ₹50 crore each for SC, ST, BC and minority welfare departments and is intended to reduce pollution and fuel costs.
- Who
- The Telangana government, eligible autorickshaw owners and representatives of autorickshaw and app-based drivers.
- What
- A ₹200 crore programme will support the conversion or replacement of 18,766 petrol and diesel autorickshaws with electric vehicles.
- When
- The approval was reported on Thursday; one article describes it as the Telangana Auto-rickshaw Electric Conversion Scheme 2026.
- Where
- Hyderabad’s Core Urban Region Economy (CURE) area.
- Why
- To reduce air pollution, noise and exposure to fluctuating fuel prices while supporting cleaner urban transport and drivers’ livelihoods.
Government and Driver Support
Implementation and Cost Concerns
Environmental and financial benefits
Government and Driver Support
The government says the transition will reduce air pollution and noise, support net-zero urban transport goals and protect drivers from rising or fluctuating fuel costs. Driver-union representatives welcomed the decision.
Implementation and Cost Concerns
The articles do not report opposition to the environmental objective, but beneficiaries may face financial pressure because assistance is capped at ₹1.50 lakh and any additional cost is their responsibility.
Speed and scope of implementation
Government and Driver Support
The scheme uses multiple welfare funding streams, empanelled manufacturers and published retrofit-kit rates to support a complete transition of eligible autos in the CURE area.
Implementation and Cost Concerns
The autorickshaw and app-based Drivers’ JAC urged the government to promptly implement other assurances and demands made during discussions with auto and cab unions.
- Total allocation
- ₹200 crore
- Eligible vehicles
- 18,766 autorickshaws
- Vehicle breakdown
- 11,254 diesel and 7,512 petrol autorickshaws
- Maximum assistance
- ₹1.50 lakh per vehicle
- Conversion choices
- Retrofit an existing chassis with an approved electric kit or purchase a new factory-manufactured electric three-wheeler
- Battery options
- Fixed-battery and swappable-battery systems
- Funding distribution
- ₹50 crore each from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Departments
- Cost limitation
- Any amount above the ₹1.50 lakh reimbursement must be paid by the beneficiary
