India Expands EV Charging Infrastructure: 25,202 EV Charging Stations Installed Nationwide

In a significant boost to India's electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has reported the installation of 25,202 Electric Vehicle Public Charging Stations (EVPCS) across the country. This move is part of the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme launched in September 2024, with a total outlay of Rs 10,900 crore over two years.

Under the scheme, Rs 3,679 crore is set aside to provide demand incentives for electric two-wheelers (e-2Ws), three-wheelers (e-3Ws), ambulances, trucks, and other electric vehicles (EVs). The program aims to support over 24 lakh e-2Ws, more than 3 lakh e-3Ws, and around 14,000 electric buses. Rs 500 crore for electric ambulances, Rs 4,391 crore to procure over 14,000 electric buses for nine major Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

Incentives will be available for e-truck purchases, with Rs 500 crore allocated for buyers scrapping old trucks. Additionally, Rs 2,000 crore has been earmarked for the installation of over 70,000 public fast chargers in high EV-penetration areas and major highways.

S.No	State / Union Territory	No. Of EVPCS
1	Karnataka	5765
2	Maharashtra	3728
3	Uttar Pradesh	1989
4	Delhi	1941
5	Tamil Nadu	1413

Madhumita Agrawal, Founder & CEO, Oben Electric, said, “We commend the government's proactive initiatives towards sustainability and green energy solutions, which are vital for India to realize its ambitious EV 2030 Vision. India is currently building a strong foundation for the necessary infrastructure to support 80 million EVs across the country. Programs like PM E-DRIVE have played a crucial role in bolstering charging infrastructure, particularly in urban areas, where the demand for EVs is on the rise. The next step must focus on rural expansion, as India’s hinterlands hold the key to fulfilling the EV 2030 Vision.

Earlier in September this year, The Ministry of Power (MoP) has also issued updated guidelines for installing and operating EV charging infrastructure. The new guidelines outlines a significant expansion in both urban and highway areas. By 2030, urban centers are expected to have one charging station within every square kilometer and On highways, fast-charging stations will be installed every 100 kilometers for heavy-duty electric vehicles like trucks and buses, with smaller vehicles covered every 20 kilometers.

Kamlesh Kaushik, CEO of Mufin Green Infra, said, "India's expansion of over 25,000 EV charging stations is a game-changer for the nation's mobility landscape. This initiative effectively addresses one of the biggest hurdles to EV adoption—charging accessibility—while demonstrating the government's strong commitment to a sustainable future. By enhancing infrastructure, this move will not only empower consumers but also attract further investment in the EV sector, pushing India closer to its environmental and sustainability goals."

According to NITI Aayog, charging infrastructure requirement depends upon the composition of electric vehicles, running patterns, terrain & geography, urbanisation pattern, the technology of EVs and the technology of charging equipment. Since, all these factors are still evolving, there is no global consensus on number of charging points required for a certain number of EVs.

Arun Pratap Singh: Founder and Group COO, Matter, said, The installation of 25,202 EV charging stations under PM E-DRIVE is a landmark step toward addressing range anxiety and improving accessibility. Startups like MATTER are innovating alongside government efforts to expand workplace and residential charging. Collaborative action among automakers, energy providers, and tech firms is crucial to building a scalable ecosystem. Investments in renewable energy integration are key to driving EV adoption and achieving India’s sustainability goals