Understanding Government Support for Micro-Mobility
To reduce carbon footprints and dependency on fossil fuels, the Indian government has aggressively promoted EVs. While high-speed electric scooters get the limelight, what about low-speed electric cycles?
FAME II and E-Bikes
Currently, under the FAME II scheme, subsidies are predominantly targeted at high-speed two-wheelers requiring registration. Low-speed e-bikes (under 25 km/h and 250W) are largely exempt from RTO but also often miss out on direct central cash subsidies. However, this is changing quickly.
State-Level Initiatives
Many states value the impact of electric cycles. Delhi, for instance, introduced incentives covering up to 25% of the cycle cost (capped at ₹5,500) for the first 10,000 buyers. Cargo e-bikes often receive even higher commercial subsidies.
The Bottom Line
Even without heavy central subsidies, the upfront cost of an electric cycle combined with zero registration fees makes it an infinitely smarter financial decision than waiting for policy shifts.