India Adds 52,718 Public EV Charging Stations

India has made significant progress in expanding its electric vehicle charging infrastructure, with 52,718 public charging stations currently operational across the country.

The Centre informed Parliament on Tuesday that of these, 16,561 are equipped with fast EV chargers for cars, helping reduce charging time and address one of the key concerns among EV users.

Minister of State for Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma said in a written reply to Lok Sabha that the Centre has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen the EV ecosystem and encourage the adoption of electric mobility.

To expand charging infrastructure, the ministry has allocated Rs 912.50 crore under the FAME-II scheme and Rs 2,000 crore under the PM E-DRIVE scheme for setting up public EV charging stations across cities and national highways.

The government has also issued guidelines for the installation and operation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which lay down standards for creating a connected and interoperable charging network, including battery swapping and charging facilities.

Establishing EV charging stations has been classified as an unlicensed activity, making it easier for private entrepreneurs to invest in charging infrastructure.

The government is also supporting domestic manufacturing of electric vehicles, with electric passenger cars included under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components.

Under the scheme, financial incentives ranging from 13 per cent to 18 per cent are being provided on incremental sales of Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) vehicles, including electric four-wheelers, to eligible manufacturers.

The Government has earmarked Rs 4,391 crore under the PM E-DRIVE scheme for the deployment of 14,028 electric buses, with 13,800 buses already allocated to seven major cities, including Mumbai.

The expansion of EV infrastructure is expected to boost the adoption of electric vehicles in India, reducing the country's dependence on fossil fuels and promoting sustainable transportation.

This development is a significant step towards achieving the government's goal of promoting electric mobility and reducing carbon emissions.

The growth of EV infrastructure is also expected to create new opportunities for private entrepreneurs and manufacturers, driving economic growth and job creation in the sector.

Overall, the expansion of EV infrastructure in India is a positive development that is expected to have a significant impact on the country's transportation sector and the environment.