The Indian government is taking significant steps to expand the country’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network, empowering private entities to set up stations under newly issued guidelines.
The Ministry of Power (MoP) declared the establishment of EV charging stations (EVCS) as an unlicensed activity on 17 September 2024, allowing private companies to install charging infrastructure in line with government rules. This move forms part of a broader effort to boost EV adoption nationwide, as highlighted by Minister of State for Heavy Industries, Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
To support the development of EV infrastructure, the government has allocated ₹9.125 billion under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) scheme and ₹20 billion under the PM E-DRIVE scheme. These funds aim to ensure sufficient public charging stations across India, including Tier-II cities and rural areas.
According to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), 29,151 public EV charging stations have already been installed across the country, with the FAME-II and PM E-DRIVE schemes playing a key role in this expansion. Of the FAME-II allocation, ₹6.3344 billion has already been utilized to develop public charging infrastructure.
Further operational guidelines issued by the Ministry of Heavy Industries on 26 September 2025 provide a framework for the continued growth of public EV charging stations, allowing participation from both public and private entities and ensuring a more inclusive approach to infrastructure development.
Click Here to get the latest EV news and exclusive updates from EV Mechanica on WhatsApp!