India is accelerating its push towards electric mobility with an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore to establish 72,000 public EV charging stations across the nation.
This ambitious initiative, part of the government’s “PM E-Drive” scheme, aims to create a robust and widespread charging infrastructure, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and foster a greener transportation ecosystem.
The new charging stations will be strategically located to maximize accessibility and convenience for EV users. Key deployment areas include 50 national highway corridors, high-traffic metro cities, toll plazas, railway stations, airports, fuel outlets, and state highways.
This comprehensive coverage is designed to alleviate range anxiety and encourage broader EV adoption across diverse geographies.
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is on the path to becoming a global model for sustainable transport,” said Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy. “The PM E-Drive scheme is a transformative initiative aimed at giving our citizens access to clean, affordable, and convenient mobility options. We are not just building infrastructure; we are building the foundation for energy security and green economic growth.”
In a move to streamline the initiative, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is being considered as the nodal agency for demand aggregation and the development of a unified digital “super app” for EV users.
This app will serve as a single platform, offering real-time slot booking, integrated payment options, live charger availability status, and progress dashboards to track the national deployment of charging infrastructure.
BHEL will also play a pivotal role in coordinating with state governments and ministries to evaluate and compile proposals for charger installations.
Minister Kumaraswamy emphasized the importance of collaborative federalism. He said, “The clean energy transition cannot succeed in silos. This meeting reflects our commitment to working as one government. Ministries, public sector enterprises, and states are all aligned to deliver results on the ground. We are confident that PM E-Drive will catalyze new industries, generate green jobs, and offer seamless electric mobility to every Indian.”
It must be noted that the PM E-Drive scheme, launched in October 2024, aims to reduce India’s carbon emissions, promote “Make in India” manufacturing in EV infrastructure components, and establish essential charging infrastructure for net-zero mobility.
