The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has unveiled guidelines for the establishment of public charging stations under the PM E-DRIVE scheme, a comprehensive program valued at Rs 10,900 crore, designed to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles across India. A significant portion of this, Rs 2,000 crore, has been earmarked specifically for the deployment of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points in urban centers and along major roadways. The initiative offers various subsidy structures, potentially covering up to 100% of installation costs for select categories to encourage rapid expansion of the charging network. Hospitals, government offices, premises of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), and educational institutions will be eligible for complete subsidies on infrastructure and charging equipment. Locations such as metro stations, airports, bus depots, fuel retail outlets operated by state-run Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), and railway stations will receive a 70% subsidy on charging equipment and an 80% subsidy on infrastructure. Furthermore, markets, malls, other private establishments, along with battery swapping and charging stations, will also be eligible for an 80% subsidy on infrastructure development. The project will prioritize the development of charging infrastructure along highways connecting key industrial hubs and ports. Additionally, focus will be given to cities designated under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), state capitals, smart cities, and urban areas with populations exceeding one million. The Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) will serve as the Project Implementation Agency, while IFCI will function as the Project Management Agency. BHEL will also be responsible for developing a National Unified Hub and creating a mobile application that will provide real-time updates, allow for charger discovery, facilitate payment processing, and offer slot booking capabilities by integrating EV chargers. The subsidy disbursement will be carried out in two stages: 70% upon the purchase of the equipment and the remaining 30% after its installation and integration with the Unified Hub. Charging standards are defined, with up to 12 kW chargers specified for two- and three-wheelers, and fast chargers ranging from 50 to 500 kW for cars, buses, and trucks. This plan is designed to address a critical barrier to EV adoption – the lack of accessible and reliable charging stations – and significantly contribute to India’s green mobility objectives.
