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Maharashtra's EV Toll Crisis: Why Speaker's 8-Day Ultimatum Shakes Up Policy

Electric vehicle owners in Maharashtra are getting a major break. The state assembly speaker has ordered a full toll waiver on three major expressways to be enforced within a week. Not only will future tolls be free, but EV drivers will also get refunds for tolls paid since last August. This move aims to finally deliver on the state's promise to boost green transport adoption.

Key Points: Maharashtra EV Toll Waiver on Expressways After Speaker Directive

  • Speaker Rahul Narwekar issues an 8-day ultimatum for full EV toll waiver enforcement
  • Toll refunds to be issued for charges collected since policy start in August 2025
  • Legislators argued ongoing toll collection violated the state's EV promotion policy
  • Minister cites technical integration delays with FASTag and Vahan systems for the lapse
2 min read

EVs on expressways, Atal Setu to get toll waiver after Maha Speaker's directive; refunds to follow

Maharashtra Speaker orders full toll waiver for EVs on key expressways within 8 days, with refunds for charges since August 2025. Policy enforcement demanded.

"If even a single EV is being charged toll, then it is illegal. – Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar"

Nagpur, Dec 10

Electric vehicles travelling on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Expressway and the Atal Setu will receive a toll waiver within the next eight days.

The state government will also refund the toll already collected from EV owners on these three roads since August 22, 2025, provided vehicle owners submit receipts as proof of payment.

The issue came up during the Question Hour in the Maharashtra Assembly on Wednesday. Legislators from both the ruling alliance and the Opposition drew attention to the toll exemption announced under the Maharashtra Electric Vehicles Policy 2025.

They said the policy clearly grants a full toll waiver for passenger EVs and electric buses on major expressways such as Atal Setu and Samruddhi Mahamarg. Members argued that the exemption is meant to encourage adoption of green transport by lowering operational costs for individual users, commercial fleets, and public service providers.

They noted that despite the policy and a government resolution, tolls continued to be collected from EVs and urged immediate correction.

Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar pointed out that the policy had taken effect from August 2025. “If even a single EV is being charged toll, then it is illegal,” he said.

He directed the state government to put a complete enforcement system in place within eight days.

The Speaker further said, “The state is promoting EVs and giving a commitment to the people of toll waiver through its policy. Not a single EV should be charged toll in the next eight days. Also, the system should be put in place to return the money charged from EV car owners.”

Responding on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister Dadaji Bhuse informed the House that the state had formally announced the EV policy on May 23, 2025, with implementation beginning on August 22, 2025.

He explained that technical integration is essential for the waiver to apply. “To ensure the toll fee waiver, the FASTag of EVs needs to be registered with Vahan and must be included in the toll system for the waiver. The implementation began three months ago. There have been some instances where toll was deducted. We are trying to speed it up and implement the process effectively,” Bhuse said.

The minister assured the Assembly that the state government would implement the directives given by the Speaker.

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- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good move, but why did it take so long? The policy was announced in May and effective from August. For three months, EV owners were illegally charged. The refund process with receipts sounds like a bureaucratic nightmare. The implementation should have been seamless from day one.
A
Aditya G
Finally some sense prevails! The Samruddhi Mahamarg is a game-changer for Nagpur-Mumbai travel. Removing tolls for EVs makes the journey even more economical and promotes green corridors. Hope other states follow Maharashtra's lead.
S
Sarah B
Interesting policy. The technical integration excuse is valid to a point, but three months is too long for a simple database update. It shows a lack of coordination between the transport and PWD departments. Efficient governance requires better inter-departmental sync.
K
Karthik V
Speaker Rahul Narwekar is absolutely right. "If even a single EV is being charged toll, then it is illegal." Strong words that hold the executive accountable. This is how the legislature should function. More power to the Assembly for protecting citizen benefits.
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Nisha Z
Great for EV owners, but what about the rest of us using petrol/diesel cars? Our tolls keep increasing. The government should also focus on improving public transport options for everyone, not just incentives for those who can afford new electric cars.
M

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