ndia has initiated a nationwide expansion of its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure under the PM E-Drive scheme, a transformative program aimed at creating a clean mobility ecosystem and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, has been allocated ₹2,000 crore to facilitate the installation of 72,000 public EV charging stations across the country.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy chaired an inter-ministerial coordination meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and Ministry of Heavy Industries to accelerate implementation and ensure seamless integration of EV infrastructure.
Charging stations under PM E-Drive will be deployed along 50 key national highway corridors, encompassing metro cities, railway stations, airports, toll plazas, fuel outlets, and industrial zones, ensuring comprehensive coverage for EV users. This strategic placement will enhance accessibility and ease of travel, further promoting EV adoption.
The minister emphasized India’s ambition to lead in sustainable transportation, stating, “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is building the foundation for energy security and green economic growth. PM E-Drive is a major step toward ensuring citizens have access to clean, affordable, and convenient mobility solutions.”
A critical component of the initiative is the designation of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) as the nodal agency for demand aggregation and the development of a unified EV super app. The app will feature real-time slot booking, payment integration, charger availability tracking, and deployment dashboards, ensuring a streamlined EV user experience. BHEL will also coordinate state-level proposals for charger installations and infrastructure expansion.
Minister Kumaraswamy stressed the importance of collaborative federalism, ensuring that ministries, public sector enterprises, and state governments work in unison to implement the program effectively. He reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering new industries, generating green jobs, and enabling large-scale EV adoption.
The initiative is expected to make a substantial impact on reducing carbon emissions from transportation, supporting Make in India manufacturing for EV infrastructure, and laying the groundwork for a net-zero mobility future. The PM E-Drive scheme stands as a testament to India’s commitment to clean energy and its vision for sustainable urban mobility.
