💡 The short answer
You do not apply for the central PM E-DRIVE subsidy. The dealer applies it and it appears as a deduction on your invoice. What you do have to watch is the state subsidy, where Delhi gives you 30 days from RC generation to apply and Bihar runs its own portal. That is where buyers lose money.
Who does what
| Step | Who | When |
|---|---|---|
| Confirm the model is empanelled and under the price cap | You, at the dealership | Before booking |
| Aadhaar verification | You | At booking |
| Register the sale on the PM E-DRIVE and VAHAN portals | Dealer | At sale |
| Deduct the central subsidy from the invoice | Dealer | At sale |
| Apply for the state subsidy | Usually you | Varies. Delhi: 30 days from RC |
| Disburse the state subsidy | State government | Delhi: within 60 days of application |
The five steps
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1Confirm eligibility before you book, not afterAsk for the ex-factory price on the invoice, not the ex-showroom price. The central cap of ₹1.5 lakh applies to ex-factory. Ask to see the model's Ministry of Heavy Industries empanelment. Four of the popular models we track do not qualify at all, listed on our eligibility page.
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2Complete Aadhaar verificationMandatory. It links the claim to you and blocks duplicate claims. One Aadhaar supports one two-wheeler claim under the scheme, so if someone in your household has already claimed on their Aadhaar, use a different one.
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3Make the dealer show the subsidy as a line itemThis is the step that protects you. The invoice should read as ex-showroom price, minus PM E-DRIVE subsidy, equals amount payable. If the dealer instead presents a single "discounted price" with no breakdown, you cannot tell whether the subsidy reached you or was absorbed into their margin. Ask for the breakdown before signing.
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4Apply for the state subsidy, and diarise the deadlineThis is where money gets lost. Delhi requires an application within 30 days of RC generation. Bihar runs a DBT portal that you use yourself. Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh route it through the dealer. Ask which applies, get the answer in writing, and set a reminder.
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5Keep the invoice, the RC and the claim referenceAny state subsidy paid later by bank transfer will need them, and so will any complaint if the money never arrives. Photograph everything the day you take delivery.
Documents to carry
| Document | Needed for | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar card, original and photocopy | Central subsidy | Yes |
| Valid address proof | Central and state | Yes |
| Bank account details, cancelled cheque or passbook | States that pay by direct transfer | State-dependent |
| Proof of state residence | Odisha, Goa, and several others | State-dependent |
| Certificate of Deposit from a scrapping facility | Delhi ₹10,000 scrappage bonus | Only if scrapping |
| PAN card | Bihar DBT portal | State-dependent |
🔧 Delhi scrappage: get the certificate first
Delhi's ₹10,000 scrappage bonus requires you to trade in a Delhi-registered BS-IV or older two-wheeler and buy the new EV within six months of the Certificate of Deposit being issued. Get the certificate before you buy, not after. Buying first and scrapping later does not work.
How each state handles it
| State | Route | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | You apply, following RC generation | 30 days from RC, disbursed within 60 days |
| Bihar | You apply on the state DBT portal with RC, chassis number, PAN and bank details | Purchases from 15 May 2026 onward |
| Maharashtra | Dealer processes | Within the policy period to 31 Mar 2030 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Dealer processes, first 1,00,000 units | While the quota lasts |
| Rajasthan | Dealer submits, state disburses | Disbursement has been slow. Chase it |
| Odisha | You apply, permanent residents only | Window closes 30 Sep 2026 |
| Assam | Dealer route | Policy expires around 4 Sep 2026. Reported non-payment |
| Andhra Pradesh | Policy exists, no operational portal confirmed | Verify with the AP Transport Department |
What to do if the subsidy never arrives
This happens more than the schemes admit. Assam and Chandigarh both have documented cases of announced incentives not reaching buyers.
- 1Go back to the dealer in writingEmail, not a phone call. Ask for the claim reference number and the date it was submitted. A dealer who cannot produce a reference probably never filed it.
- 2Check the portal yourselfFor the central scheme, the status sits against your vehicle on the government portal. For state schemes, the nodal agency usually publishes a status lookup.
- 3Escalate to the state transport department or nodal EV agencySend the invoice, RC, claim reference and a dated summary. Delhi cleared roughly ₹140 crore of pending EV subsidy dues after a High Court intervention, so escalation does work, slowly.
- 4Tell usWe publish dealer disputes end to end on our resolved cases page. Documented cases are the thing that actually moves dealerships.
Common questions
Do I need to apply for the PM E-DRIVE subsidy myself?
No. The dealer applies it and it comes off your invoice. You verify with Aadhaar and pay the reduced price. State subsidies are the ones that may need your own application.
Can I claim if I buy online?
Yes. Ola Electric and Ather Energy both process PM E-DRIVE through their online sales channels, with Aadhaar verification during booking.
How long does the money take?
The central subsidy is instant because it is a deduction, not a payment. Delhi commits to 60 days from application. Bihar pays through DBT. Rajasthan, Assam and Chandigarh have all had reported delays.
Can I claim on a second scooter?
Not on the same Aadhaar. The scheme allows one two-wheeler claim per Aadhaar.