Budget 2019: Boost for EVs evokes mixed reactions from auto industry

The income tax rebate of Rs 1.5 lakh for EV buyers along with GST rate of 5% will encourage buyers in the personal mobility space to "seriously consider EVs", believe industry experts

Home-grown carmakers have lauded the government’s resolve to promote electric-driven mobility, even as the local arms of global firms rued that the fiscal incentives in the Budget leave out other clean vehicle technology options. 

“As an industry, we could not have asked for more. The onus is now on us to make it work,” said Pawan Goenka, managing director, Mahindra & Mahindra, on the measures announced in the Budget to promote electric vehicles (EVs). 

Shailesh Chandra, president–electric mobility business and corporate strategy at Tata Motors, said: “The incentives reinforce a strong commitment by the government to steer electrification on a