Surat Makes History: First City in India to Launch Special Green Vehicle Policy

Surat has created history by becoming the first city in India to launch a special program called the “Green Vehicle Policy-2025” that will help people buy electric cars, bikes, and other pollution-free vehicles. This exciting announcement was made on September 17, 2025, which was chosen to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 75th birthday.

Big Money Benefits for Green Vehicle Buyers

The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has announced amazing benefits for anyone who wants to buy electric or green vehicles. Here’s what people will get:

Complete Tax Freedom in First Year: If you buy any electric vehicle, you won’t have to pay a single rupee as vehicle tax in the first year. This is a 100% waiver that can save you anywhere from ₹2,000 to ₹4 lakh depending on what type of vehicle you buy.

Big Discounts Continue: The benefits don’t stop after one year. In the second year, you’ll get 75% off on your vehicle tax. In the third and fourth years, you’ll still get 50% off. This means you’ll be saving money for four whole years.

Extra Help for Work Vehicles

The government is giving special attention to people who use vehicles for their work and earning. Here’s what they’re offering:

• Electric three-wheelers for goods: ₹3,000 cash back for each vehicle (for the first 2,000 people who buy)
• Electric rickshaws: ₹5,000 cash back for each vehicle (for the first 1,000 people)
• Pink autos for women: ₹5,000 cash back for each vehicle (for the first 100 vehicles)
• Small electric delivery vehicles: Special low-interest loans at 0.5% less than normal rates (for the first 200 vehicles)

Charging Stations Everywhere

One of the biggest concerns people have about electric vehicles is “Where will I charge my vehicle?” Surat has solved this problem in a big way.

The city plans to build 460 charging stations across Surat. This means there will be one charging station for every square kilometer of the city. No matter where you are in Surat, you’ll always find a place to charge your electric vehicle nearby.

This network of charging stations will be built in shopping areas, residential societies, office complexes, and along major roads, making it super convenient for everyone.

Special Surat Money Card

SMC will also launch a special “Surat Money Card” for people who own green vehicles. This card will give you multiple benefits and discounts at various places across the city.

Vehicle Exchange Program

The city is also planning a buyback scheme. This means if you have an old petrol or diesel vehicle, the government will help you exchange it for a new electric one. This program will cover all types of vehicles – two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and passenger cars.

Big Goal for 2030

Surat has set an ambitious target: by 2030, they want half of all vehicles running on the city’s roads to be electric or green. This means in just five years, every second vehicle you see should be helping keep the air clean.

Who Will Make Sure Everything Works?

To manage this big program, Surat has created a special team called the Green Cell Committee. This team includes:

• The Municipal Commissioner (who will lead the team)
• Senior officials from Surat Traffic Police
• People from City Link Limited
• DGVCL (electricity company) representatives
• RTO (vehicle registration) officials
• GPCB (pollution control board) members
• College professors and technical experts

₹10 Crore Fund for Cleaning Workers

Along with the vehicle policy, something very special was announced for the hardworking people who keep Surat clean. Union Minister C.R. Patil announced that citizens and generous donors have contributed ₹10 crore to create a special welfare fund for sanitation workers.

This fund will be managed by SMC and will help in many ways:

• Education for children: The fund will pay for school fees and higher education for the children of sanitation workers
• Books and supplies: Students will get help buying books and other school materials
• Accommodation support: Help with housing and living arrangements for families
• Interest-free loans: Workers can get loans without paying extra interest to buy homes or two-wheelers

Honoring the Real Heroes

Minister Patil praised the sanitation workers and called them the real heroes who have made Surat one of the cleanest cities in India. Thanks to their hard work, Surat consistently ranks among the top cities in the country’s cleanliness surveys.

He also mentioned that this type of welfare fund for sanitation workers is the first of its kind in India, making Surat a pioneer in taking care of its essential workers.

Grand Launch Event

The policy was launched at a grand event at Surat’s Indoor Stadium. Along with the Green Vehicle Policy, the city also inaugurated various development projects worth ₹20.96 crore and laid foundation stones for future projects worth ₹142.17 crore.

Why This Matters for Everyone

This policy will bring many benefits:

Cleaner Air: When more people use electric vehicles, there will be less pollution in the city. This means healthier air for everyone to breathe.

Health Benefits: Less pollution means fewer breathing problems, especially for children and elderly people.

Cost Savings: Electric vehicles are cheaper to run than petrol or diesel vehicles, so people will save money on fuel.

Setting an Example: Other cities across India will look at Surat’s success and start similar programs.

Supporting National Goals: This policy supports India’s commitment to reach Net Zero emissions by 2070.

Read More: Why Surat Split Happened: Complete History of Surat Division

A Model for the Future

What makes Surat’s approach special is that it’s a complete package. The city isn’t just asking people to buy green vehicles – they’re making it financially attractive with tax breaks and subsidies, building the infrastructure with charging stations, providing convenient services with the money card, and even taking care of the workers who keep the city clean.

This comprehensive approach means Surat is not just talking about being environment-friendly – they’re actually making it easy and beneficial for everyone to participate in creating a cleaner, greener future.

Other cities across India are likely to study Surat’s model and adapt it for their own residents, potentially starting a green vehicle revolution across the country.