Gujarat revises official vehicle policy to include electric cars and 4WDs

The Gujarat government announced a comprehensive revision to its official vehicle procurement policy on Monday, introducing two functional classifications that expand electric vehicle deployment and incorporate four-wheel-drive options for difficult terrains.

The administrative adjustment shifts the state machinery from a strictly designation-based framework to one governed by operational duties and geographical realities. Under the updated guidelines, departments can procure vehicles tailored specifically to ground inspections, enforcement drives, and off-road assignments without being restricted entirely by traditional bureaucratic hierarchy.

State officials stated that the amendment builds upon the April 2023 procurement framework, which had replaced the older 2019 rules. While previous iterations limited electric mobility primarily to standard office transport or specific administrative staff cars, the latest policy extends battery-powered options directly into enforcement and field surveillance.

The newly established Category F is designated explicitly for field inspection and enforcement vehicles. It accommodates internal combustion engine models such as the Mahindra Scorpio N Z4 4X4, Mahindra Thar Roxx MX5, Mahindra Bolero Neo N10 (O), Kia Carens Clavis HTE (O), Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXI Plus, and Toyota Rumion V. Crucially, the bracket incorporates two electric models: the Mahindra XUV400 EL Pro 39.4 kWh and the Tata Nexon EV Creative 45.

Parallel to the field category, the government instituted Category F1 to address transport requirements in remote zones, mining tracts, forest ranges, and construction project sites. This tier serves departments including Home, Forest and Environment, Industries and Mines, Water Resources, Panchayats and Rural Housing, Ports and Transport, Roads and Buildings, and Revenue.

Officers operating under Category F1 are authorized to procure specialized utility vehicles alongside standard field models. Approved configurations include the Tata Yodha Pickup, Isuzu V-Cross 4WD Z, Mahindra Bolero Pick-Up 4WD, and Mahindra Bolero Camper Gold RX 4WD, ensuring reliable mobility across unpaved roads and challenging landscapes.

Existing provisions governing ministerial travel, VVIP state guests, constitutional authorities, district collectors, and heads of departments remain unchanged under the framework. Financial compliance rules dictate that all departmental purchases must continue through the Government e-Marketplace portal at prevailing market rates. Acquisitions outside the sanctioned categories will necessitate explicit prior clearance from the state administration.

State authorities expect the structured integration of electric cars and rugged utility options to streamline administrative execution across rural districts. Departments are slated to begin transitioning their requisition indents through the digital procurement portal in accordance with the revised parameters over the coming weeks.