The Maharashtra government has taken another important step towards promoting electric vehicles. Electric four-wheelers and electric buses will no longer have to pay toll on India’s longest sea bridge, Atal Setu (formerly Mumbai Trans Harbor Link – MTHL).
This decision has been taken in the latest notification issued by the state’s urban development department.
Which vehicles will get toll exemption?
Under this new system, the following electric vehicles will be exempted from toll on Atal Setu:
- Private electric cars
- Electric passenger four-wheelers
- Electric buses of state transport undertakings
- Electric buses operated by private operators
- EV buses used for urban public transport
- However, electric freight vehicles will not get the benefit of this toll exemption.
New decision, amendment in old rules
This decision comes under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Tax Act, 1958. In the notification of 31 January 2025, toll was imposed on all vehicles, but now by making a partial change in it, relief has been given to EV vehicles.
Another step towards a carbon-free future
The government aims to reduce carbon emissions, promote clean transportation, and reduce fuel dependency through this decision. Incentives like toll exemption will encourage people to adopt EVs instead of petrol-diesel vehicles. Along with this, the government also plans to implement such discounts on other major highways like Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Samruddhi Mahamarg.
The number of electric vehicles is increasing in Mumbai
More than 22,400 electric vehicles have been registered in the state so far:
- 18,400 light EV four-wheelers
- 2,500 light EV passenger vehicles
- 1,200 heavy EV buses
- 300 medium EV vehicles
An average of 60,000 vehicles pass through Atal Setu every day, of which 34,000–40,000 vehicles use this bridge alone. Apart from this, a large number of vehicles also pass through the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and Samruddhi Expressway.
What is Atal Setu?
Atal Setu is the country’s longest sea bridge, with a length of 21.8 kilometers. It is an important link connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, which has been designed to reduce traffic and reduce travel time.
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