India opens EV manufacturing doors to global giants with new portal launch under SPMEPCI
In a significant move to position India as a global hub for electric vehicle (EV) production, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) on Tuesday launched the online application portal for the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (
SPMEPCI
). The initiative, seen as a landmark in India's clean mobility journey, opens the door for
global EV manufacturers
to establish a long-term manufacturing presence in the country.
According to the Ministry of Heavy Industries, the portal — available at spmepci.heavyindustries.gov.in — will remain open for applications from 10:30 a.m. on June 24, 2025, until 6:00 p.m. on October 21, 2025. The move follows the notification of the scheme on March 15, 2024, and the subsequent release of detailed guidelines via Notification No. S.O. 2450(E) dated June 2, 2025.
'This initiative marks a defining moment in India's journey towards clean, self-reliant, and future-ready mobility,' said Union Minister for Heavy Industries HD Kumaraswamy, during the portal launch. 'The launch of this portal under the SPMEPCI scheme opens new avenues for global electric vehicle manufacturers to invest in India's rapidly evolving automotive landscape.'
The scheme aligns with India's broader goal of achieving Net Zero by 2070, and is firmly embedded in the government's 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) missions.
Key features of the scheme
Reduced Import Duties for CBUs: Approved applicants will be permitted to import Completely Built Units (CBUs) of electric four-wheelers with a minimum CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) value of USD 35,000 at a reduced customs duty of 15%, for a period of five years from the date of application approval.
Minimum Investment Requirement: Applicants are required to make a minimum investment of ₹4,150 crore, with mandatory compliance to domestic value addition (DVA) milestones over time.
Global and Domestic Participation: The scheme is open to both foreign and domestic manufacturers, offering a calibrated balance between access to advanced EV technology and the development of indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
Strategic Policy Framework: The policy framework is designed to attract leading EV brands to India, generate high-skilled employment, and advance India's EV ecosystem through investment, innovation, and infrastructure.
The Ministry noted that the scheme 'not only supports our national commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2070, but also reinforces our resolve to build a sustainable, innovation-driven economy.'
Industry observers view the launch as a direct call to global players like Tesla, BYD, and other EV majors to make strategic investments in India, leveraging a favorable policy environment and a massive consumer base.
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