The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), Government of India, has called upon state governments to submit their requirements for EV charging infrastructure under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme in an effort to accelerate electric vehicles (EV). With just over a year remaining before the scheme concludes in March 2026, the government is keen to aggregate demand from various states to fast-track the deployment of public charging stations. A senior official involved in the initiative confirmed that requests are being sent to state governments and stakeholders to gather data on infrastructure needs.

Building a Robust EV Ecosystem

This initiative is a critical component of India’s broader strategy to strengthen the EV ecosystem. The MHI has allocated Rs 2,000 crore to facilitate the installation of 72,300 public EV chargers nationwide. The planned infrastructure includes 22,100 fast chargers tailored for electric four-wheelers, 1,800 chargers designated for electric buses, and 48,400 chargers catering to electric two- and three-wheelers.

Funding Breakdown for EV Chargers

A detailed allocation of funds reveals that Rs 1,061 crore has been set aside for CCS-II-60 kW chargers, which primarily serve electric four-wheelers. Additionally, Rs 346 crore is earmarked for high-capacity 240 kW chargers, designed for electric buses. To further support two- and three-wheeled EVs, Rs 581 crore has been allocated for Low Energy Consumption Charging Systems and Low Voltage Direct Current chargers.

Financial Support and Subsidies

To encourage the widespread establishment of public EV charging stations, the MHI has introduced a financial support mechanism, offering subsidies of up to 80 per cent on upstream infrastructure costs. The subsidy will be provided in three phases: 30 per cent at the tender award stage, 40 per cent upon charger deployment, and the remaining 30 per cent after the successful commencement of commercial operations. In exceptional cases, the government is open to providing full (100 per cent) funding for projects, including upstream power infrastructure. A senior official emphasized that while full funding is available if necessary, states should submit their infrastructure demands promptly.

Driving India’s Clean Mobility Revolution

As India continues its transition towards cleaner mobility solutions, the success of PM E-DRIVE will largely depend on effective collaboration between the central and state governments. By significantly expanding the public charging network, this initiative aims to make EV adoption more practical and sustainable across the country.