Atal Setu Now Toll-Free for Electric Vehicles; Mumbai-Pune and Samruddhi Expressways Next in Line

Mumbai, August 22: In a major push towards sustainable mobility, the Maharashtra government has announced toll exemption for electric vehicles (EVs) on the iconic Atal Setu bridge. The decision, effective from Friday, comes as part of the state’s broader Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy, aiming to promote cleaner transportation and reduce carbon emissions.

Both private and government electric four-wheelers are now exempt from paying tolls on Atal Setu, which sees daily traffic of over 34,000 to 40,000 vehicles. The initiative is expected to offer financial relief to EV owners and encourage higher adoption of green vehicles across the state.

The Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway, which together handle tens of thousands of vehicles daily, are next in line to receive similar toll exemptions for EVs, according to government sources.

Under the Maharashtra EV Policy, the state offers multiple incentives to bolster electric mobility. These include:

• Full toll exemption on Atal Setu and soon on other major expressways.

• 50% toll discount on other state and national highways managed by the Public Works Department for electric four-wheelers.

• Exemptions apply to private EVs, state transport buses, and urban public transport vehicles.

• Electric goods carriers, however, are not eligible for toll waivers.

The policy was also positioned as a gift for Independence Day, aligning environmental benefits with public relief, especially in the wake of surging fuel prices.

Mumbai has seen a significant rise in EV registrations, with over 22,400 electric vehicles currently registered:

• 18,400 light four-wheelers

• 2,500 light passenger vehicles

• 1,200 heavy passenger vehicles

• 300 medium passenger vehicles

Officials believe that toll waivers will further strengthen this growth by making EV ownership more cost-effective and practical for everyday commuting.

With environmental concerns rising and fuel costs surging, the Maharashtra government aims to cut down dependency on fossil fuels and reduce harmful emissions through such progressive policies.

By incentivising EV usage on key infrastructure routes, the state envisions a cleaner, more sustainable future for transportation in urban and semi-urban areas alike.