The government has allocated ₹500 crore to support 3,811 electric ambulances over FY27 and FY28 under the PM E-DRIVE scheme.
The Centre will subsidise up to 35% of the ex-factory price of electric ambulances under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, according to a gazette notification cited by The Economic Times.
The government has allocated ₹500 crore to support an indicative target of 3,811 electric ambulances during FY2026-27 and FY2027-28. The scheme covers Patient Transport Vehicles (Type B), Basic Life Support (Type C), and Advanced Life Support ambulances (Type D).
Financial support has been capped at ₹30,000 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of battery capacity or 35% of the ex-factory price, whichever is lower. Vehicles must also offer a minimum warranty of five years or 1.25 lakh kilometres covering the battery, motor and vehicle.
“These SOPs are offered under the PM E-DRIVE scheme launched in September 2024 with an outlay of ₹10,900 crore,” ET reported.
The scheme focuses on electric buses, e-ambulances, e-trucks, EV public charging stations and testing infrastructure upgrades.
India currently has around 86,000 registered ambulances, with nearly 25,000 procured annually under the National Health Mission. E-ambulances are already operating in markets including the US, Canada, Germany, the UK and Japan.
The move is expected to reduce operating costs over time while also supporting cleaner and more efficient emergency transport services.
