The Odisha government is gearing up to significantly expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging network, with plans to install public charging stations at around 190 additional locations across six cities. The move is expected to improve accessibility and support the growing adoption of EVs in Angul, Balasore, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Kalinganagar and Puri.
The State Transport Authority (STA) has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) seeking approval for the new charging stations under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme. Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur presented the proposal during a meeting with MHI director Amrendra Kishore Singh and other officials.
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has been assigned as the implementing agency for the project. Teams led by Singh and BHEL general manager JK Pattanaik are expected to carry out site inspections to evaluate feasibility before the project gets final clearance.
Officials from the STA said the initiative would make charging points more accessible, ease concerns over driving range and contribute to building a stronger EV ecosystem in the state. At present, limited availability of public charging infrastructure remains a key hurdle for EV users, especially for longer journeys.
Odisha currently has around 100 public charging stations. EVs have made up roughly 9–10 per cent of total vehicle sales since 2022-23. Out of 9.10 lakh vehicles sold last year, more than 91,000 were electric.
Thakur added that more charging stations are also planned for Rourkela and Talcher, both of which fall under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). As per central guidelines, the first phase prioritises state capitals, cities with populations above one million, smart cities and those identified under NCAP.
Several cities in the state—including Angul, Balasore, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Kalinganagar, Rourkela and Talcher—are classified as non-attainment cities due to consistently failing to meet national air quality standards. In later phases, the charging network is expected to expand to 12 more cities under the State Clean Air Programme.
The PM E-DRIVE scheme, rolled out in September 2024 with a total allocation of ₹10,900 crore, is aimed at accelerating EV adoption and building a nationwide charging ecosystem. A dedicated ₹2,000 crore portion of the fund has been set aside to support the development of public charging infrastructure.
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