India is set to take a giant leap in its clean mobility journey with the rollout of 72,300 public EV charging stations under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) initiative. The scheme, backed by a ₹10,900 crore outlay, earmarks ₹2,000 crore for charging infrastructure, aiming to eliminate range anxiety and boost EV adoption nationwide.
Strategic Deployment Across Urban & Transit Hubs
The charging network will be prioritised in:
- Major cities, state capitals, and satellite towns connected to metro systems.
- National and state highways along high-density transport corridors.
- Public hubs such as airports, bus terminals, metro and railway stations, and fuel stations.
This structured deployment ensures that both urban commuters and inter-city travellers have easy access to charging facilities.
Tiered Subsidy Framework
The scheme introduces a flexible subsidy structure:
- 100% subsidy for stations in government offices, hospitals, schools, and residential colonies (if kept open to the public).
- 80% subsidy for infrastructure at malls, expressways, and battery-swapping stations.
- 70–80% subsidy for EV chargers at government-operated hubs and fuel stations.
This design encourages participation from both public and private entities.
Oversight, Targets & Technology
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) will act as the Project Implementation Agency, overseeing rollout and compliance. Charging stations must follow Ministry of Power standards to ensure safety and interoperability.
The government targets:
- 48,400 chargers for two- and three-wheelers.
- 22,100 fast chargers for four-wheelers.
- 1,800 chargers for buses and trucks.
Subsidy disbursement will happen in two stages, tied to performance milestones.
Driving India’s EV Future
With 72,300 strategically located stations, the PM E-DRIVE initiative will significantly expand EV charging stations in India, supporting the government’s vision of 30% EV penetration by 2030. This nationwide push is expected to not only accelerate EV adoption but also transform India into a global leader in sustainable transport.
