Rajasthan CM Unveils Honda’s First EV Model; Production to Begin at Tapukara Plant in 2026

Jaipur, March 2026: Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma on Saturday unveiled the first electric vehicle model of Honda Cars India Limited — the Honda 0 Alpha — during a meeting with the company’s delegation at the Chief Minister’s Office in Jaipur. The EV will be manufactured at Honda’s Tapukara Plant, with production scheduled to begin later this year.

The Chief Minister said it is a matter of pride for Rajasthan that Honda has chosen the state for producing its first electric vehicle in India. He described the move as a strong sign of global confidence in Rajasthan’s investment-friendly policies.

The decision follows the Chief Minister’s visit to Japan in September 2024 in preparation for the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit. During the trip, Sharma invited Honda’s top management to invest in electric vehicle manufacturing in Rajasthan in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Make in India for the global market. He had also assured the company of strong infrastructure and government support. Honda representatives expressed their appreciation for the invitation and thanked the Chief Minister for the support extended by the state government.

Government Committed to Green Mobility and Job Creation

Sharma said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is committed to promoting green energy and clean mobility while creating more employment opportunities. He noted that encouraging investments in electric vehicles will help strengthen Rajasthan’s role in the future of India’s automotive sector.

He added that Rajasthan has immense potential in solar energy, and the production of electric vehicles in the state will further accelerate economic growth. According to him, Honda’s decision to develop the Tapukara facility as a major EV manufacturing hub demonstrates international confidence in the state’s progressive investment policies.

The Chief Minister also said that this step would encourage more investments in electric vehicle manufacturing in the future. It will also reduce dependence on petrol and diesel while supporting environmentally sustainable industrial development.

Policies Supporting Clean Transportation

Sharma noted that Honda’s association with Rajasthan goes back many years. The foundation stone for the company’s plant in Tapukara was laid in 2007, vehicle production began in 2014, and now in 2026 the plant has been chosen for Honda’s first electric vehicle production in India. He described this development as a proud moment for the state.

The Chief Minister also highlighted several initiatives taken by the state government to promote electric mobility. These include subsidies on EV purchases, establishment of charging stations through a single-window clearance system, and incentives under the Rajasthan Vehicle Scrapping Policy for scrapping vehicles older than 15 years and purchasing new vehicles.

During the meeting, Honda officials shared their plans for expanding electric mobility in India. They said that EV models manufactured at the Tapukara plant will not only serve the domestic market but will also be exported to several countries.

Takashi Nakajima, President and CEO of Honda Cars India Limited, said the Tapukara plant is one of the company’s major production centres in India, manufacturing cars and components for both domestic and international markets. He added that the decision to move towards electric mobility marks an important milestone for the company.

Nakajima also noted that Honda has developed a strong ecosystem for the automotive and auto-parts supply chain in Rajasthan through its suppliers and two-wheeler manufacturing facilities.

The meeting was attended by members of Honda’s delegation from Japan, Rajasthan Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, and other senior officials.