39,485 EV Chargers Installed Under PM E-DRIVE Scheme So Far: BHEL

A total of 39,485 electric vehicle (EV) chargers have been installed across India under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme, according to information shared by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), the project implementation agency for public EV charging stations. Out of the total installed chargers, 8,414 are fast chargers meant for electric cars.

To address concerns related to charging access and range anxiety, the Ministry of Power issued the “Guidelines for Installation and Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure 2024.” These guidelines set technical and operational standards for a connected and interoperable charging network, including battery swapping stations.

The government has also clarified that setting up EV charging stations is an unlicensed activity, allowing private companies and individuals to establish public chargers without regulatory approvals linked to licensing. An allocation of Rs 2,000 crore has been provided under the PM E-DRIVE scheme for the development of public EV

charging stations.

The PM E-DRIVE scheme was notified on 29 September 2024. Under this scheme, Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) is handling the procurement of electric buses through a competitive bidding process.

In Phase I, 10,900 electric buses have been allocated to five cities and bids for selecting operators for these buses were opened on 14 November 2025. In Phase II, an additional 2,900 electric buses have been allocated.

The Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI) was notified on 15 March 2024. Under this scheme, companies must invest at least Rs 4,150 crore and meet domestic value addition (DVA) targets of 25 percent by the third year and 50 percent by the fifth year.

At present, the government has not announced a fixed national target for EV adoption. Instead, policy measures are focused on supporting charging infrastructure, electric public transport systems and domestic manufacturing.

Akshit Bansal, Founder & CEO, Statiq, said, "The installation of EV chargers under the PM E-DRIVE program marks a transformative milestone in India’s electric mobility journey, reflecting the country’s growing commitment to renewable energy and sustainable transportation. This is a much needed initiative to overcome one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption, range anxiety, by ensuring that a reliable and widespread charging infrastructure is accessible not only on major highways but also within urban centers and remote rural areas. The program fosters a collaborative ecosystem, bringing together government bodies and private enterprises to accelerate infrastructure deployment effectively and efficiently. By expanding charging availability, PM E-DRIVE is not only catalyzing consumer confidence in EV technology but also driving the economic momentum necessary to scale production and innovation in the electric vehicle market."