New Delhi, Nov. 11 -- The Ministry of Finance has made electric vehicles (EVs) the default choice for government staff cars and raised the purchase price ceiling for such vehicles to Rs 20 lakh, compared with Rs 10 lakh for petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles.

According to an Office Memorandum issued by the Department of Expenditure on Tuesday, central government ministries and departments will now be required to give preference to electric vehicles when replacing their existing conventional staff cars.

"EVs shall be the default and preferred choice for procurement," the memorandum stated.

Under the revised instructions, the Net Dealer Price (NDP) ceiling for procurement of electric staff cars has been fixed at Rs 20 lakh, while the cei...