Centre Extends E-2W Subsidy Deadline Under Prime Minister E-Drive

02 Apr 2026 CW Team

The central government has extended the deadline for the electric two-wheeler subsidy under the Prime Minister's E-Drive scheme to July 31, 2026. The move will allow buyers additional time to claim support intended to lower the upfront cost of electric two-wheelers and to bring continuity to a policy that aims to accelerate the shift away from fossil-fuel powered personal transport. The extension covers eligible purchases completed on or before the revised deadline.

The E-Drive scheme provides a targeted subsidy to reduce the purchase price of qualifying electric two-wheelers and to encourage manufacturers to scale production. The subsidy mechanism is intended to work with state incentives and industry programmes to improve affordability and market supply. By prolonging the window for claims, the central government expects smoother implementation and clearer signals for original equipment manufacturers and dealers planning production and sales.

Industry participants and market observers anticipate that the extension will sustain consumer demand and provide manufacturers with time to align product portfolios and factory output with evolving policy support. The additional period is likely to help firms manage inventory and to maintain momentum in retail sales that underpin investments in related services and charging infrastructure. The continuity of subsidy support may also bolster investor confidence in the emerging electric mobility ecosystem.

Officials indicated that the extension is part of a broader effort to ensure policy stability while the electric vehicle market matures and state schemes synchronise with central measures. Stakeholders will be able to plan purchases and business strategies with an assured timeline until July 31, 2026, after which the government will reassess scheme parameters based on uptake and market developments.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..