Centre issues gazette notification for e-ambulances; excludes MedTech from PMP framework

The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has issued a notification extending the benefits of the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme to electric ambulances (e-ambulances). The notification establishes a dedicated framework covering eligibility conditions, demand incentives, performance standards, warranty requirements, and phased manufacturing obligations for e-ambulances across India.

The notification has been issued under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme originally notified on 29 September 2024 and takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette, i.e., 17 June 2026.

Objective of the notification
The move aims to accelerate the adoption of electric ambulances in India’s healthcare and emergency response ecosystem while supporting the Government’s broader objectives of promoting clean mobility, reducing emissions, and encouraging domestic manufacturing of electric vehicle components.

Eligible categories of e-ambulances
The following categories of e-ambulances, as defined under AIS-125 (Part 1): Constructional and Functional Requirements for Road Ambulances, are eligible for demand incentives under the Scheme:

• Patient Transport Vehicle (PTV) – Type B
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Ambulance – Type C
• Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulance – Type D

Compliance requirements
The notification clarifies that:

• Central Government departments,
• State Government departments,
• Government agencies, and
• Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs)

Will also be eligible to receive demand incentives under the Scheme.

The incentives will be available in addition to support already provided under the National Health Mission (NHM) or other government programmes.

Demand incentive structure
A significant feature of the notification is the introduction of a dedicated incentive mechanism for e-ambulances.

The incentive payable will be the lower of:

• ₹30,000 multiplied by the battery capacity (kWh); or
• 35% of the ex-factory price of the vehicle.

The ex-factory price must correspond only to the vehicle meeting AIS-125 requirements. Additional medical equipment or systems fitted in the ambulance must be invoiced separately and cannot be included in the ex-factory price for incentive calculation.

Target number of supported vehicles
The Government has outlined ambitious deployment targets under the Scheme:

The Ministry has earmarked ₹500 crore as total financial support for the initiative.

Performance and efficiency standards
To qualify for incentives, e-ambulances must satisfy minimum performance benchmarks.

M1 and M2 category e-ambulances
Key requirements include:

• Minimum driving range of 140 km
• Maximum speed of 70 km/h
• Minimum acceleration of 1.04 m/s²
• Prescribed limits on energy consumption depending on vehicle category.

M3 category e-ambulances
Requirements include:

• Minimum range of 140 km
• Operational range of 120 km under specified conditions
• Maximum speed of 70 km/h
• Minimum acceleration of 0.8 m/s²
• Minimum gradeability of 9.7 degrees (17%).

Warranty requirements
The notification prescribes robust warranty obligations for manufacturers.

For all eligible pure electric ambulances based on M1, M2, or M3 categories, the minimum warranty shall be:

Whichever occurs earlier.

Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP)
A major feature of the notification is the introduction of a comprehensive Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) to promote localization and domestic value addition.

Key components covered
Manufacturers will be required to progressively localize production of:

• HVAC systems
• Electric brake compressors
• CCS-2 charging inlets
• Traction battery packs
• Battery Management Systems (BMS)
• DC-DC converters
• Vehicle Control Units (VCU)
• Traction motors
• Inverter-integrated motor controllers
• Instrument clusters
• On-board chargers and charging cables.

Restrictions on imports
The PMP imposes strict localization conditions, including:

• Prohibition on import of battery modules for traction battery packs in specified categories.
• Gradual restrictions on import of BMS, DC-DC converters, traction motor controllers, and other key EV components.
• Prohibition on importing all PMP components and related sub-components from a single supplier in completely knocked down (CKD) form.

Medical equipment exempted from localization
Recognizing the specialized nature of ambulance medical infrastructure, the notification specifically excludes medical equipment installed in e-ambulances from domestic manufacturing obligations under the PMP framework.

Significance for India’s healthcare and EV sectors
The notification represents a major policy push towards integrating clean mobility solutions into public healthcare infrastructure. By combining financial incentives with localization requirements, the Government seeks to:

• Expand the adoption of electric ambulances.
• Reduce operating and fuel costs of emergency medical transport.
• Promote indigenous EV manufacturing.
• Strengthen the domestic electric mobility ecosystem.
• Support India’s climate and sustainability goals.

Conclusion
The Ministry of Heavy Industries’ notification extending PM E-DRIVE Scheme benefits to electric ambulances creates a comprehensive framework for incentivizing deployment of e-ambulances while simultaneously fostering domestic manufacturing of critical EV components. With financial support of ₹500 crore, clearly defined performance standards, warranty obligations, and localization requirements, the initiative is expected to accelerate the electrification of India’s emergency healthcare transportation network and contribute to the growth of the country’s electric vehicle ecosystem. Legality Simplified