New Delhi, May 4 -- On 29 April, the Centre issued guidelines requiring electric truck makers to localize components such as battery management systems and vehicle control units to qualify for incentives under the PM E-Drive scheme. E-truck makers must use domestically produced components from September 2026.

The government had eased rules during the 2025 rare-earth magnet shortage by extending deadlines for importing related subassemblies without forfeiting incentives. Mint explains the rationale behind the policy directive.

Trucks account for a small (3%) share of India's total vehicles but contribute about a third of the country's road sector greenhouse gas emissions, making the shift towards electric trucking important.

The challen...