NEW DELHI, April 8 -- Major electric car makers, including JSW MG Motor India, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hyundai Motor India, and Kia India, have written to Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, urging the state to reconsider a new 5-10% lifetime tax on electric vehicles (EVs), according to correspondence reviewed by Mint and a person familiar with the matter.

The companies have sought a meeting with Siddaramaiah, warning that the move could affect air pollution goals, oil imports, energy security and the investment outlook for India's EV industry.

Mint reported on 31 March that Karnataka had reversed its earlier EV road tax waiver, a step that risks slowing adoption in one of India's key EV markets. In 2025, the state accounte...