The PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) program was introduced by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), marking a major step towards accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India. Establishing a strong charging infrastructure, boosting EV adoption, and fortifying the EV production ecosystem are the objectives of the program. A two-year budgetary investment of ₹10,900 crore supports the effort, with ₹2,000 crore designated for the establishment of Electric Vehicle Public Charging Stations (EVPCS).
Comprehensive instructions for the installation and operation of EV charging infrastructure have also been released by the Ministry of Power (MoP). The rules, which were published on September 17, 2024, place a strong emphasis on building an interconnected and compatible network of EV charging stations throughout India.
25,202 EVPCS have been placed nationally, according to MoP data, with Karnataka having the most stations (5,765), followed by Maharashtra (3,728) and Uttar Pradesh (1,989). There are 271 EVPCS in Chhattisgarh, with Raipur having the most percentage (57 stations).
According to the NITI Aayog, the need for EV charging infrastructure is contingent upon a number of variables, such as the make-up of EVs, travel habits, topography, urbanization, and developments in EV and charging technology. The exact number of charging stations required for a given EV population is up for debate because these criteria are continually changing internationally.
In a written response to the Rajya Sabha, Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel, provided this information. He emphasized the government’s continuous initiatives to encourage the use of EVs and the construction of infrastructure for charging them.
As part of India’s aim to lowering carbon emissions and moving toward a greener future, the government is still concentrating on EV ecosystem development and sustainable mobility.
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