Archive · 16 Jan 2026
Govt Tightens PLI Incentives for Electric Quadricycles
The Indian government has made new rules for small electric four-wheeler vehicles called quadricycles.
These rules are part of a big plan to help companies make more electric vehicles in India.
The government wants these vehicles to be tested properly and made mostly in India.
They also want these vehicles to be good quality, with a minimum distance they can travel on a full charge and not using too much energy.
Most of these vehicles are made in India and sold to other countries.
The government hopes these new rules will help Indian companies compete better in the world market.
Government notified dedicated testing and performance norms for electric quadricycles under the PLI-Auto scheme.
Testing standards linked with 50% local value-addition requirements under the PM E-Drive scheme.
Performance criteria defined: minimum range of 80 km and maximum energy consumption under 12 kWh per 100 km.
Testing agencies like ARAI and ICAT will use these parameters to decide incentive eligibility.
Quadricycles are mostly export-oriented, with 98% of 2025 production exported, primarily to African, South Asian, and Latin American markets.
- Who
- Government of India, Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI)
- What
- Notification of dedicated testing and performance norms for electric quadricycles under the PLI-Auto scheme
- When
- Notification dated 13 January
- Where
- India
- Why
- To ensure quality of products and encourage local value addition and international competitiveness
- PLI Scheme Budget
- ₹25,938 crore
- Localization Requirement
- 50%
- Minimum Range for E-Quadricycles
- 80 km
- Maximum Energy Consumption
- Under 12 kWh per 100 km
- Quadricycle Exports in 2025
- 4,900 units (98% of total production)
- Top Quadricycle Seller in India (2023-2024)
- Bajaj Auto Ltd (340 units)