Outlook Business Desk
The central government has released guidelines to establish around 72,300 public electric vehicle charging stations across India. Allocating ₹2,000 crore under the ₹10,900-crore PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme, it aims to boost electric mobility in the country.
The scheme introduces a multi-level subsidy structure to support the development of EV charging stations across various locations. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) will act as the project implementation agency (PIA), with subsidies released in two instalments tied to compliance and performance targets.
Government owned sites including offices, hospitals, schools, and residential complexes are eligible for 100% subsidy on both EV charging equipment and infrastructure, provided the chargers are open to the public free of charge, ensuring full accessibility.
In urban locations like city streets, malls, and markets, as well as along highways and expressways, the government will provide an 80% subsidy on upstream infrastructure. Battery swapping and charging stations at any site will also receive the same support.
Meanwhile, central ministries and state or Union Territory governments, are required to appoint nodal agencies to gather demand for public charging stations (PCS) and submit their proposals to the Ministry of Heavy Industries for approval and implementation.
At city and highway locations managed by central or state governments or their public sector entities, including railway stations, airports, metro stations, bus depots, and municipal parking facilities, the government will cover 80% of the upstream infrastructure cost for EV charging stations.
For EV supply equipment at these government and public sector sites, the subsidy will cover 70% of costs. This includes fuel outlets run by public sector oil marketing companies, ports, toll plazas, and way-side amenities under NHAI or state authorities.
The PM E-DRIVE scheme focuses on large urban centres with populations over one million, smart cities, metro-linked satellite towns, state capitals, and high-traffic national and state highways. Key public transport hubs like railway stations, airports, and fuel retail outlets will also receive priority support.
The PM E-DRIVE scheme, effective from October 1, 2024, to March 31, 2026, aims to drive India’s transition to electric mobility. It supports e-2Ws, e-3Ws, e-buses, e-ambulances, and e-trucks, while strengthening charging infrastructure and EV testing facilities nationwide.