NEW DELHI, Jan. 4 -- As private electric bus operators struggle to secure affordable credit, the Centre is working on a new financing scheme that could lower borrowing costs by routing funds through the Small Industries Development Bank of India (Sidbi) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard), according to two government officials aware of the development.

The push comes amid heightened lender caution across the electric vehicle (EV) industry over the past year, following the collapse of electric cab company BluSmart.

The proposed scheme, being finalized by the ministry of heavy industries and likely to be rolled out over the next six to twelve months, the officials said, seeks to address one of the biggest ...