The Maharashtra government has been directed to fully implement toll exemptions for electric vehicles (EVs) across all major highways within the next eight days.
This move comes after complaints from EV owners that toll charges were still being collected, despite the state’s official policy granting exemptions.
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar emphasized that any toll collection from EVs under the exemption policy is illegal.
He instructed authorities to immediately stop deductions and refund amounts already collected from affected EV owners.
Key Highways and Policy Support
The toll exemptions will apply to major corridors including the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, Samruddhi Mahamarg, and Atal Setu.
These measures align with the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2025, which encourages EV adoption through incentives like tax concessions, registration fee exemptions, and subsidies.
Officials noted that technical issues had caused delays.
Misalignment between FASTag systems and the VAHAN vehicle database led to EVs being misclassified, resulting in unintended toll charges.
Narwekar instructed operators to update their systems immediately to ensure all registered EVs are correctly identified and exempted.
Charging Infrastructure and Green Mobility Push
Beyond toll exemptions, the Speaker urged the government to expand EV charging infrastructure across the state.
With EV numbers steadily increasing, adding more charging stations and upgrading existing ones is essential to support motorists and reduce range anxiety.
Revised operational guidelines are expected soon, outlining processes for toll refunds and system corrections.
These steps will provide immediate financial relief to thousands of EV owners and strengthen Maharashtra’s commitment to sustainable transportation.
Summary
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has ordered full enforcement of toll exemptions for electric vehicles within eight days.
The government will:
Refund wrongly collected tolls
Fix FASTag–VAHAN integration issues
Expand EV charging infrastructure
Enforce exemptions on all major highways
These measures aim to boost EV adoption, promote cleaner transportation, and support Maharashtra’s green mobility goals.
