# Electric two-wheeler share hits 10% as Centre approves ₹776 crore for EV testing

2026-09-26T02:01:19+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

Electric two-wheelers accounted for 9.9% of all two-wheelers sold in India during April-August FY27, up from 6.6% in FY26, the government said at the PM E-Drive Dialogue at ICAT in Manesar. The Centre has sanctioned ₹776.29 crore to upgrade testing agencies under the PM E-Drive scheme, covering ICAT, ARAI, GARC, and NATRAX. The investment targets electric vehicles, batteries, and clean technologies. Heavy Industries Minister H D Kumaraswamy called for closer collaboration among testing agencies, manufacturers, and researchers. The PM E-Drive outlay has been raised to ₹11,900 crore, and the target for electric two-wheelers has been increased from 24.8 lakh to 45.8 lakh vehicles. Incentives for the segment run until March 2028. Kumaraswamy also inaugurated a 100 kN load car facility and a lift capacity facility for tractors at ICAT.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Both sources report the same numbers and announcements with no disagreement. The Hindu Business Line includes a profit figure for ICAT (₹142 crore) and mentions that the PM E-Drive target was raised, adding context on self-sustainability. Business Today leads with the minister's call for broader ambition and includes technical details on the tractor testing facility. The coverage is uniform straight reporting, with no discernible slant. The key figure to watch is the 45.8 lakh electric two-wheeler target, which will test whether the current 9.9% penetration rate can sustain a steep ramp-up before the March 2028 incentive deadline.

## Coverage

- thehindubusinessline.com (neutral report) <https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/electric-two-wheeler-penetration-nears-10-centre-allocates-776-crore-to-upgrade-ev-testing-infrastructure/article71509522.ece>
  Leads with penetration numbers and funding, includes profit and target details
- businesstoday.in (neutral report) <https://www.businesstoday.in/industry/story/heavy-industries-ministry-earmarks-rs780-crore-to-upgrade-automotive-testing-infrastructure-557979-2026-09-25?utm_source=rssfeed>
  Leads with funding figure and minister's call for broader ambition, includes technical specs

Tags: electric two-wheelers, H D Kumaraswamy, Hanif Qureshi, ICAT, NATRIP, PM E-DRIVE
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