Budget 2026 Expectations Live Updates: Will FM Sitharaman’s Union Budget help mitigate impact of Trump’s tariffs?

“As we gear up for the 2026–27 budget, tackling urban air pollution has to rise to the top of our national priorities. Last year in 2025, cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru routinely smashed past AQI levels of 400, plunging residents into hazardous health risks from respiratory diseases to heart issues that hit vulnerable groups hardest. We must take bold, trackable actions like hefty incentives for electric mobility and clean public transport to deliver real, felt improvements in air quality within the year.

The growth trajectory of the electric vehicle (EV) industry in India presents a tremendous opportunity to push for deeper Tier II city penetration. This is essential for advancing green and sustainable mobility across the nation. Infrastructural development is key to such a transition, especially the setting up of charging points for electric vehicles to encourage consumers to adopt electric vehicles.

We urge the government to reconsider the current GST rate of 18% on EV charging services and reduce it to 5%. Lowering this tax would not only make EV charging more affordable but also stimulate demand for electric vehicles, aligning with our goals for a cleaner and more sustainable future. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to convert heavy commercial vehicles to eco-friendly alternatives, such as electric vehicles, to significantly reduce pollution in major cities. By addressing both consumer and commercial sectors, we can pave the way for a comprehensive and sustainable transformation in India’s transportation landscape,” says Akshit Bansal, Founder & CEO, Statiq.